Patent ID: 6637230
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: B60H,F25B

Abstract:
An air-conditioner for use in an automotive vehicle in which its engine is automatically stopped when the vehicle temporarily stops, the air-conditioner comprising:a refrigeration circuit including a main compressor driven by the engine, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator, all being connected in series, the main compressor and the evaporator being connected through a low pressure tube, the main compressor and the condenser being connected through a high pressure tube; and a sub-compressor having an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, the sub-compressor being connected in parallel to the main compressor and being adapted to be driven by an electric motor when the engine is not in operation, wherein: the inlet pipe of the sub-compressor is connected to a first junction formed in the low pressure tube, and the outlet pipe of the sub-compressor is connected to a second junction formed in the high pressure tube; and an inner diameter of the inlet pipe is smaller than that of the low pressure tube, and an inner diameter of the outlet pipe is smaller than that of the high pressure tube such that the amount of refrigerant flowing through the sub-compressor is restricted in comparison to that flowing through the main compressor.