Want to know how the air conditioner works?

Nowadays most modern cars are equipped with various adaptations. Air conditioning is no longer a luxury, but only an object that provides a comfortable stay in the cabin. But, despite the prevalence of this device, not all motorists know how the air conditioner works. And this information can be useful for extending the life of the device.

How is the auto-conditioner?

Someone might wonder why to know this, seemingly at first glance, unnecessary information. But after all, air conditioners in cars sometimes fail, then you have to contact the car service in order to repair this device. This is where you will find this information useful so that you will not be deceived in the showroom.

The device of autoconditioner includes:

- the compressor;

- refrigerant;

- the condenser;

- evaporator of the heat collector;

- receiver-desiccant;

- tubes, sensors, valves, control unit.

The main element, perhaps, is the compressor. This is an aggregate that causes the refrigerant (most often freon) to circulate through the system. The heat-collector evaporator is necessary for the freon to evaporate in it, and heat is absorbed. The receiver-desiccant is necessary to drain the refrigerant.

How does the air conditioner work?

Ask this question when the device fails, it will be too late. Therefore, it is better to know in advance how the air conditioner works. By and large, the principle of its operation is very similar to that of a domestic refrigerator.

Initially, the gas of freon is compressed in the compressor of the car air conditioner up to 12-20 bar. In this case, it is heated to a high temperature in the range of 50 to 80 ° C. After that, the gas enters the condenser, where, thanks to a good exchange with the external environment, Freon is cooled, turning into a liquid. Liquid freon accumulates inside the condenser.

After that, the refrigerant in the liquid state enters the receiver-desiccant. In it, it is filtered from dirt, drained by a silica gel from water, and the liquid fraction is separated from the gaseous. Then freon from the receiver (in the liquid state) passes through small holes into the evaporator. The pressure decreases sharply and is from 1 to 3 bar.

As the name implies, in the evaporator the liquid Freon evaporates, turning again into gas. In this case, the evaporator itself is cooled to 0 ° C. Freon in the gaseous form re-enters the compressor under low pressure. There it contracts - and the cycle repeats itself again. It is clear that the control unit is used to control the air conditioning.

After reading this brief description, it's easy to understand how the air conditioner works in a car. And so it can work for a long time. However, there are negative factors that can lead to its breakdown:

- temperature changes;

- vibration;

- harmful environment;

- humidity.

Main problems of the car air conditioner

The most common causes of malfunctions in the operation of the air conditioner are the leakage of the system itself. This can occur as a result of corrosion of aluminum parts, wear of rubber tubes, valves, gaskets. In addition, the tightness of the system can result from mechanical damage caused by an accident or unskilled repair.

Also, a compressor can often break down. This can be determined by the appearance of noise, knocking, buzzing. If the reason for this is damage to the bearing, it will be necessary to replace it. In the event that the compressor casing has ceased to be sealed, it can be repaired.

Restore the integrity of the body can be by welding. In addition, problems in the operation of the car air conditioner may appear when the working surfaces of the condenser are heavily soiled. In this case, it must be replaced. The main thing is that it should be done by experienced and skilled craftsmen.