How Does the Heating Function of a Car Air Conditioner Work?
1 Answers
The working principle of a car air conditioner's heating function is that during heating, the high-temperature coolant from the engine flows through the heater core. At the same time, the air blown by the blower also passes through the heater core, allowing the car's air vents to blow warm air. There are two types of car heating functions. The first utilizes engine coolant, which is the method employed by most vehicles today. The second primarily relies on the consumption of car fuel energy, commonly found in mid-to-high-end vehicles. The heating function of a car air conditioner is not generated by the air conditioner itself but is derived from the heat energy produced by the engine coolant. During engine operation, a significant amount of heat energy is generated and absorbed by the coolant to cool the engine. The coolant acts as a heat carrier, transferring heat through the engine radiator. With the help of a fan, air convection is achieved, releasing heat energy into the car's interior space to provide warmth. After the coolant dissipates its heat energy and cools down, it absorbs the engine's heat energy again, forming a cycle to achieve the heating purpose. The car air conditioner is a relatively large system in a vehicle. In addition to the compressor, it includes components such as the evaporator, expansion valve, receiver-drier, and condenser. The compressor plays a crucial role in the entire system by compressing and driving the refrigerant. Driven by the engine, it continuously draws in the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant vapor generated by the evaporator's heat absorption and vaporization. After compression, it forms high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant vapor, which is discharged to the condenser, creating high-pressure conditions for the refrigerant to continuously condense and release heat in the condenser. Additionally, the compressor overcomes the circulation resistance of the refrigerant in the refrigeration circuit.
