Principle sketch of the climate control system

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 2007 Volvo V70, 2006 Volvo V70, 2005 Volvo V70, 2004 Volvo V70, and 2003 Volvo V70. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Principle Sketch Of Climate Control System

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA.

Included in the climate control system:

Compressor
Condenser
Engine cooling fan (the same cooling fan used by the engine cooling system)
Receiver drier
Expansion valve
Evaporator
Blower fan.

Explanation:

A - High pressure, warm fluid

B - Low pressure, cold fluid

C - Low pressure, cold gas

D - High pressure, warm gas

Dark arrow - Warm air

Light arrow - Cold air

The system is divided into:

a low pressure side (B, C)
a high pressure side (A, D).

The two sides are separated by the compressor (1) and the expansion valve (5). The evaporator (6) is located on the low pressure side and the condenser (2) is on the high pressure side.

The design of the climate control system in a vehicle is based on the laws of nature, which mean that liquids evaporate when they are subjected to a temperature increase or a reduction in pressure and that heat is absorbed during this process.

If the hot vapor is then cooled again, the heat that has been absorbed is released and the gas reverts to liquid form. This process is repeated as many times as necessary, so that "cooling is produced" continually. This is the same type of process as used in refrigerators, for example.