Automotive air-conditioner having sub-compressor driven by electric motor

An air-conditioner for use in an automotive vehicle in which its engine is automatically stopped every time 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;
• the electric motor for driving the sub-compressor is controlled by an electronic controller;
• and
• the sub-compressor is driven by the electric motor for a predetermined period of time during a period in which the main compressor is in operation.

An air-conditioner for use in an automotive vehicle in which its engine is automatically stopped every time 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;
• the main compressor has a variable capacity which is controlled by an electronic controller;
• and
• the capacity of the main compressor is increased to a capacity which is higher than a capacity necessary to attain a required cooling ability for a predetermined period of time during a period of time in which the main compressor is in operation.

An air-conditioner for use in an automotive vehicle in which its engine is automatically stopped every time 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
• the inlet pipe of the sub-compressor includes a portion rising upward from the first junction, and the outlet pipe of the sub-compressor includes a portion rising upward from the second junction.