Title: Analysis on air-conditioning heat load of a passenger vehicle

Authors: S. Shimizu, H. Hara, F. Asakawa

Addresses: Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota-shi, Japan. ' Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota-shi, Japan. ' Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota-shi, Japan

Abstract: In order to examine ways to reduce the power consumption of air-conditioner systems, the authors established a simulation program on the heat load of an air-conditioner of a passenger vehicle through theoretical and experimental studies. By using this simulation program it was found that the heat load by solar radiation accounted for more than 50% of the entire air-conditioning heat load under the recirculation air mode. They came to the conclusion that the control of solar radiation was the most effective means to reduce the power consumption of air-conditioners. In the case of a 4-door sedan with an 1.8-litre engine, 20 to 30% of the air-conditioning heat load could be reduced by the adoption of an infrared reflection glass for all windows. The authors hope to reduce the compressor size and/or lower the power consumption of air-conditioners by this means.

Keywords: air conditioning; heat load; fuel economy; infrared reflection glass; power consumption; simulation; solar radiation; vehicle design; vehicle windows.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1983.061317

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1983 Vol.4 No.3, pp.292 - 311

Published online: 25 May 2014 *

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