Air conditioning has made life easier and more comfortable for people sitting in the car. It does not create cool air, but it removes heat from the system, creating cooling. To use the air conditioner optimally, you need to clearly understand how the car air conditioner works.
In this helpful guide, you will learn comprehensively about a car AC system: how it works as well as the scientific principles of refrigerant and condenser cooling, explained in simple words.
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Car AC System: How it Works
Here’s how a car’s air conditioning system works:
A car’s air conditioning system works just like the air conditioning system in your home or office. This is very important, especially in hot weather. In the modern world, it is difficult to find a car today without an air conditioning system. This system gives you a comfortable and relaxing driving experience, especially in the summer. Some people don’t know how a car’s air conditioning system works.
Some people claim that there is cold air in the car. But that’s not true; The system is not capable of generating cold air. Instead, it will remove the heat and moisture inherent in your car. This process puts your car in a relaxed state, allowing you to enjoy your drive. The air conditioning system works by adjusting the airflow in the vehicle to the correct temperature.
Additionally, this ensures that there are no wet contents. The system allows you to better cool and heat the vehicle’s passenger compartment. Additionally, it also defrosts the windshield, giving you clear visibility.
Understanding the different parts of an air conditioning system is important. This will help you better understand how the process works. You also need to know how they work.
How the components of an air conditioning system work
With global warming, the weather has changed in recent times. Most parts of the world experience hot and cold seasons. Therefore, an air conditioning system in a car has become a necessity. With global warming, the weather has changed in recent times. Most parts of the world experience very hot and cold seasons. Therefore, an air conditioning system in a car becomes necessary.
Therefore, car manufacturers have developed car air conditioning systems. This helps in cooling and heating the car. Refrigerant gas is the most useful product in this system. It is a gas used to pressurize the air conditioning system. All air conditioning systems use similar components to make the system work.
These are the compressor, the receiver dryer, the thermal expansion valve of the condenser and the evaporator. Find more details about each component discussed below.
Refrigerant
Although not a part of the car air conditioning system, it is the lifeblood of the system. Cooling comfort in the car cannot be achieved without refrigerant. At low temperatures and pressure, it is in gas form. In addition, it is in liquid form when subjected to high pressure and temperature.
Therefore, this gas is essential and plays an important role in the air conditioning system. Each car has a certain amount of refrigerant used to fulfil the order. In passenger vehicles, this amount of refrigerant is usually about 3 or 4 pounds at most.
Compressor
The compressor is an indispensable part of the car air conditioning system. It is a pump attached to the crankshaft of a car engine, which drives and powers the engine. Its main function, as its name suggests, is to compress the refrigerant. The refrigerant enters the compressor in a gaseous state and is under low pressure.
When you turn on the air conditioner, you compress the refrigerant in vapour or gas form in this part. The purpose of the squeeze is to ensure that it can withstand high pressure. The pump drive pushes the gas out of the condenser. The compressor can only compress gas, not liquid.
Condenser
The main task of the condenser in this system is to condense the refrigerant from the compressor. Condensation occurs as a result of rapid warm or hot air cooling. The moisture or water vapour in hot air forms a liquid state after condensing. In the modern automotive air conditioning system, this is the most recognizable part.
At this point, you turn the refrigerant from the gaseous state to liquid form. You achieve this condensation by pressuring the refrigerant. The condenser cools down the refrigerant by the air that flows around the tubes. The cooling down process turns the gas into a liquid.
So, the refrigerant turns into a high-pressure fluid. At this point, it is ready to enter into the next component.
Receiver-Dryer
This component acts as a reservoir. It prepares the liquid for transfer to the evaporator.
Yet, in this reservoir, there are desiccants, which are a drying agent. Desiccants are small granules that attract water. The removal of the water element at this stage is essential. Failure to remove it at this point may turn into ice crystals.
These ice crystals are capable of harming the entire air conditioning system. The desiccants in this stage remove all water elements, thus safeguarding the system as a whole. Collapsing of the a/c system in your vehicle can make your driving uncomfortable. Although you can open your windows during the hot season, it is not very useful.
Windows may bring in the excess wind as you fast drive, thus making you uncomfortable. Also, it might let in unwanted substances such as dust.
Thermal Expansion Valve
In this valve, liquid expansion occurs by changing the high-pressure to low-pressure. The expansion minimizes pressure on the refrigerant. As such, it prepares the fluid further before transferring it into the evaporator. The valve’s design helps it to sense pressure and regulate the refrigerant flow.
It also allows for the steady operation of the system. The valve’s moving parts may sometimes wear out, thus requiring replacement. Also, instead of using the valve in question, you can use an orifice tube. Still, it performs the same task, which is allowing refrigerant expansion. It reduces the force as well before the refrigerant gets into the next component.
Besides, the orifice tube does not have moving parts. It allows the refrigerant to flow at a constant speed. But, over time, it gets clogged with debris. A system that uses orifice pipes is turned off and on again. It does this to control the flow of refrigerant.
Evaporator
The evaporator is the central part of the air conditioning system. Its location is the cabin, passenger side. All other AC components are located in the engine compartment. The evaporator has a similar design to the radiator. But it’s smaller and has tubes and fins. The design of these tubes and fins contributes to heat absorption.
When the refrigerant enters the evaporator coil, it freezes at 0 degrees Celsius. The low temperature is why you need to remove all the water. Additionally, the refrigerant enters the evaporator coil as a low-pressure liquid. However, this refrigerant does not freeze at 0 degrees. But its boiling point is relatively low.
The heat in the car interior is enough to ensure the R-134a contained in this component boils. After boiling, R-134a changes to a gaseous state to help absorb heat. For vehicles using an exhaust system, the operation method will be different. The system has an accumulator located between the compressor and the evaporator. Sometimes this tube discharges excess refrigerant into the evaporator.
Compressors can only compress gases, not liquids. Therefore, the accumulator will absorb excess fluid before entering the compressor. In addition, the evaporator also absorbs moisture from inside the car, giving you a feeling of freshness. Dirt, moisture and pollen condense on the evaporator.
If water starts leaking under your vehicle after stopping, it’s due to the air conditioning evaporator.
Such falls do not worry you and your car is still in good condition. Air cooling process in air conditioning system This process starts from the vehicle’s air conditioning compressor. This is where the process of compressing the refrigerant to a high-pressure state occurs. Compression causes the refrigerant to liquefy.
It then goes to the condenser through high-pressure pipes. The condenser allows the liquid to mix with the outside air. This mixture allows the air to absorb heat from the liquid. The fluid then flows through the orifice or the expansion device. Here it turns into a gas on the low-pressure side of the air conditioning system.
It then flows into the tank containing the desiccant packet. The bag collects unwanted moisture, along with other impurities. The clean refrigerant then flows into the evaporator through the tube. In this state, it can absorb heat from the air passing through the fins. This process leaves the air cooler.
Maintenance Tips for Your Car’s AC System
Maintaining your car’s AC system is crucial to ensure it operates efficiently and lasts longer. Here are some tips to help you keep your AC system in top condition:
Regular Inspection:
Have your AC system inspected by a professional at least once a year. This can help identify potential issues before they become major problems.
Refrigerant Levels:
Ensure that the refrigerant levels are adequate. Low refrigerant levels can cause the AC system to work harder, leading to wear and tear.
Clean the Condenser:
The condenser can get clogged with dirt and debris, reducing its efficiency. Regularly clean the condenser to ensure it dissipates heat effectively.
Change the Cabin Air Filter:
A dirty cabin air filter can restrict airflow and reduce the efficiency of the AC system. Replace the cabin air filter according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
Check for Leaks:
Refrigerant leaks are a common issue that can significantly reduce the effectiveness of your AC system. If you notice a decrease in cooling performance, have your system checked for leaks.
Run the AC Regularly:
Even in winter, it’s a good idea to run the AC system periodically. This helps to keep the seals and hoses lubricated, preventing them from drying out and cracking.
Use Sunshades:
Using sunshades can help reduce the load on your AC system by keeping the car’s interior cooler, especially during hot weather.
Monitor Unusual Sounds or Smells:
Strange noises or unpleasant smells coming from the AC system can indicate problems. Address these issues promptly to avoid more extensive repairs.
Conclusion
Finally, now you understand “how car air conditioning works”. All components work together, each contributing its part. However, all elements are necessary. If one part fails, the whole process will collapse. So, you need to make sure that each part is in good condition. The car’s air conditioning system has three jobs to do.
First, cooling the car’s interior is essential, especially during hot weather. This ensures that you have a cool temperature in your car. Furthermore, heating the interior during cold weather is also important. You need warmth in your car when it’s cold.
Finally, defrosting the windshield is the most important task for the air conditioning system. It’s often frustrating when you can’t see through the windshield. Therefore, it may affect your driving and lead to an accident.
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