The device and the principle of the air conditioner

Today, many have air conditioners in their cars. But few people wondered how they work. For motorists this is just a button on the dashboard, which on a hot day gives a coolness and freshness. Let's look at the device and how the car air conditioner works .

History

The very first climate systems for cars appeared before the Second World War. It cost this option as a third of the machine. In our country, or rather in the domestic automobile industry, climatic systems began to be installed on AvtoVAZ much later.

In 1933, in the United States, these devices were considered an integral part of living quarters. In 1936, engineers engaged in the development of air cooling systems for various vehicles. The first climatic installations appeared in road trains for passengers. The principle of the car air conditioner was the same as in the refrigerator. He has not changed today.

The very first car, which was equipped with such a comfortable novelty - Packard. But the installation was quite expensive - for $ 700 it was possible to buy a new car safely. Installation cost $ 274 - this is one third of the cost. Among the inconveniences of this first model was a large volume of the system. Installation took half of the free space in the trunk, and automatic control was not yet. These devices have not received a good response and popularity. Their release stopped. In 1941, they returned to this topic again - it was the American Cadillac.

The war began and all developments had to be stopped. It was possible to resume work only after the war. In 1954, engineers revolutionized the production of these climate systems for cars. So, on models of brand Nach-Kelvinator began to install a real climate control, consisting of ventilation and heating. The system also included air conditioning and a heater. This climate was much smaller and was placed under the hood. These devices have become more popular, and the demand for them has grown steadily. The principle of the car air conditioner has not changed since then.

In the early 90-ies in the States, almost all cars that came off the assembly line were equipped with air cooling systems. In our country, such options were put only on auto members of the government. The first domestic air conditioner was installed on the domestic ZIL-111. In the 1960s, some primitive models were installed on trucks. And only in 1976 by the decree of the government these systems began to be completed with combines, trucks, dump trucks.

How is the car air conditioner?

Talking about car air conditioners, you need to understand that this is a whole system. It consists of several basic nodes, like many other devices in the car. We briefly go through all the details and find out the air conditioner unit, the principle of operation, the operating features.

Compressor

This device is the heart of the whole air conditioning system. Its function is to pump the refrigerant through all lines and pipelines. The device draws freon vapor from the evaporator and sends the refrigerant to the condenser. On many modern systems, the compressor is the only mobile mechanism.

The compressor is the only unit that allows you to separate the high and low pressure circuits. Specialists call the side high - injection, and low - suction side. Many modern compressors can separate pressure zones thanks to a special plate valve.

Car air conditioning compressor: operating principle

So, this is the main node of the system. It is necessary to compress the refrigerant in the gaseous state, and also to ensure the circulation of the refrigerant through the system. There are about 40 kinds of these parts. But today only rotary-blade and piston devices are popular and popular.

The compressor works from the drive belt of the crankshaft of the car. At the moment when the refrigerant is sucked into the unit, it is under practically atmospheric pressure. After the freon enters the device, the drive belt drives the pump, which compresses the gas and sends it to the condenser. The process of gas compression is accompanied by a strong heating of the refrigerant. It should be noted that the device does not function with freon in a liquid form. If liquid enters the cavity of the compressor, this leads to severe wear.

Electromagnetic coupling

Now the principle of the car air conditioning compressor is at least a little understandable. The device is started using a drive belt from the crankshaft. But the pulley of the electromagnetic clutch is installed between them. It can disconnect the compressor and the drive pulley when needed.

In older models, a solenoid was used as the electromagnetic clutch, which was combined with the drive pulley. Today this clutch does not move. The solenoid can be found behind the drive pulley of the compressor. The pressure plate is located in front of the pulley.

It works like this - the car enthusiast presses the button to turn on the system, as a result, the solenoid receives power. Then a magnetic field appears, which presses the pressure plate against the pulley. It must be remembered that the air conditioner can take from 1.5 to 15 liters. from. Engine power.

Condenser

To really understand the principle of the air conditioner in the car, you should fully study each node of the system. The condenser is another important device. You can find it in front of the motor radiator.

The refrigerant enters this unit in liquid form from the compressor. After flowing through the sinuous pipes of this node, the liquid cools and moves further in a circle.

This part is used to cool freon. These parts are made of aluminum most often. They are very often broken, as they are prone to corrosion.

Receiver-dryer

Before the refrigerant gets further, it must first pass through this device. After the condenser, the operating principle of the car air conditioner includes a special tank. Through it will pass the liquid. In the tank, you can find special granules that attract water.

In this receiver, the excess fluid that was able to get into the system is completely removed. If the water remains, they turn into ice. This may damage the appliance. Also in the receiver can settle various garbage.

Expansion tube or expansion valve

At this stage, the principle of the car air conditioner changes from high pressure to low. If you touch this part, you can feel different temperatures in the mains - from hot to cold.

Freon in liquid form under sufficiently high pressure is fed into the thermal expansion valve from the dehumidifier through a special valve. This valve allows the freon to return to the gaseous state. This expansion allows you to reduce pressure. Then the gas enters the evaporator.

This valve contains a special pressure sensor, and also regulates the flow of Freon so that the entire operation of the system is more stable. The valve assembly contains moving parts. They wear out quickly enough, and for a good work of the air conditioner they need to be changed from time to time.

Evaporator

When you start the car air conditioner, the principle of its operation is approximately understandable. But that in the salon you can enjoy the cold, pleasant and fresh air, you need one more detail.

The evaporator is the place in the structure of the system where all the magic is carried out. While all the other parts are under the hood, the evaporator is located in the car. It is slightly above the legs in the passenger's side. This part is something like a radiator. There are also coils, tubes and ribs. But the purpose of this design is heat dissipation.

Freon falls into the evaporator in gaseous form. It is sufficiently cooled - its temperature tends to 0 degrees. The refrigerant at this temperature can not freeze - its freezing point is lower. The warm air in the cabin is so much that the freon in the evaporator boils out. The fan blows through the evaporator in the cabin. The air, passing through the almost icy radiator, gives pleasure.

Further, after the gaseous Freon passes through the evaporator, it will again fall into the compressor, where under pressure becomes liquid and the cycle will be repeated again. This is the principle of operation and design of the air conditioner.

Condensate

When running car air conditioners, many noticed how from under the bottom dripping water. Sometimes it follows very much, so much that after 10 minutes of idle time small streams are formed.

This is the fault of the evaporator, which, being in a cold state, draws from the air all the humidity that is there. This very moisture condenses like the morning dew, and then exits through special channels.

Electronics

A modern car air conditioner, the device and the principles of its operation are controlled by a large number of sensors. They are designed to adjust the functioning of various important parts of the device at various stages. So, for example, if you are standing in a traffic jam, the pressure in the high-pressure lines can reach critical levels. Therefore, thanks to the sensors, the compressor turns off and the tubes do not burst.

How to use car air conditioning?

Experts recommend that even in the hottest day to start air conditioning only after the engine worked a little. Also, the engine must be silenced after the air conditioner is turned off. This will significantly increase the resource.

In winter, when there is no need to cool the air in the cabin, it is recommended to start the climate system approximately once a month. Due to the fact that it does not work, there may be various leaks of Freon.

Common Problems

If you notice that your car air conditioner, the principle of operation of which we have just reviewed, has become worse to cool the interior, it can talk about a lot.

For example, a frequent breakdown is considered a fan. It can simply fail, and as a result, the interior will not be sufficiently cooled and blown.

During operation, the Freon level is reduced naturally. In modern brands of cars, manufacturers have provided a special viewing window. Through it, you can monitor the state and level of the refrigerant. So, when the system is running, there should be neither white foam nor air bubbles in this eyelet. Also you can always evaluate the efficiency of your device if you touch the tubes coming out of the condenser. They must be literally icy.

Another popular problem is the smell, which is often very unpleasant. The reason is that hordes of various harmful bacteria accumulate on the evaporator. To get rid of this scourge, it is enough to clean the part with an antibacterial agent from time to time.

There are also regular leakages. To find them, you can use special electronic devices to search for leaks or try ultraviolet technology.

So, this equipment is very simply arranged, which every day gives comfort while driving. In the work there is nothing complicated, and with proper maintenance and proper operation, the air conditioner will very long please its owner.