Refrigerant Circuit

Component Identification:

The A/C compressor (1) is driven by the engine and compresses the gaseous refrigerant which heats up flows to the condenser (2) where it is cooled down. The heat from compression is removed from the refrigerant by the surface of the condenser (2). As it cools the refrigerant liquefies.

As it flows through the receiver/drier (3) the refrigerant is purified of all chemical and mechanical impurities.

The liquid refrigerant then flows through the expansion valve (4) into the evaporator (5), located in the fresh air flow. The refrigerant evaporates here. The evaporation process absorbs heat from the fresh air flowing by on the outside of the system of tubes and honeycombs so that they cool the fresh air.

On vehicles with rear air conditioning the liquid refrigerant flows from the receiver/ drier (3) through the refrigerant injection valve (8) and the refrigerant shutoff valve (7) into the rear air conditioning evaporator (6).

The moisture contained in the air is condensed out, and the water condensate is drained to the outside. The air is dried.
The A/C compressor (1) sucks in the refrigerant which has now become gaseous due to the heat it has absorbed and compresses it again.

When the engine is running and blower switched on cool air can be let into, the interior via various outlets. The intensity of the refrigeration depends on the interior temperature and blower speed set previously.