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History of Car Air-Conditioner
Cars, since its birth represent luxury and lavish lifestyle and has come a long way with numerous mechanical advancement and inventions. The concurrent development in the automobile sector has differentiated the modern day car in many ways from their old legendary counterparts.
In early days, cars were not much adorned with accessories nor are they so technically advanced like the present day cars which come fitted with sophisticated safety features, entertainment systems, and improved mechanics.
The two most momentous progresses among the luxurious improvement were the evolution of the car audio system and air-conditioning systems, the history of which is not only interesting but also quite amusing.
Earlier, most of the cars were designed with half open body and small tyres. During summers the only air-conditioners were the natural breeze. Later when the car manufacturers started building cars with closed body. With a car hood, the temperature in side the cabin turned very hot. The car manufacturers tried many things as they made vents in the car floor, but it did not do any good as it started inviting dust and dirt rather than cool air. Like this, the desire to get a cool interior gave birth to many ideas.
In 1884, William Whiteley prepared an experiment where he placed blocks of ice in a container under horse cart and puffed air inside with the help of a fan attached to the axle. This inspiration was later followed by an evaporative cooling system. The temperature-reducing effect of air passing over water was adopted by a company called Nash and was christened as Weather Eye.
It was in the year 1939, Packard (an American luxury car brand built by the Packard Motor Car) was the first car with an actual refrigeration system. This cooling system consisted of a large evaporator, called the 'cooling coil,' which occupied the complete trunk space. Only the blower switch had a control. With this, the luxury car manufacturer promoted its product with a caption saying, “Forget the heat this summer in the only air-conditioned car in the world.”
It was then followed by another car marque Cadillac in 1941 that rolled out 300 air-conditioned cars. The only disadvantage of these early air-conditioning systems carried was that there was no compressor clutch and as a result, the pump was on when the engine was running. To turn off the system, one had to stop the car, get out, open the hood, and remove the belt.
Then Cadillac introduced all new high-tech air-conditioner mounted with control. Again, there was a drawback as these controls were placed on the rear package shelf. The driver had to go up to the back seat to shut the system off. This was one-step better than reaching under the hood.
The Harrison Radiator Division of General Motors developed the first efficient, affordable air-conditioning system that went on for the mass production. This ‘new cooling’ feature was available as an option on all 1954 Pontiacs with V8 engines. It carried a two-cylinder reciprocating compressor, and an all-brazed condenser. The system was also enhanced with magnetic clutch, where when the A/C was not in use, no power was required to drive the compressor and this resulted in better performance and fuel economy.
Until 70’s the air conditioning remained as rare option but then air-conditioned car became the trend in 70’s and 80’s. With innovations and latest designs, the cooling systems were further improved.
Today, heating and air-conditioning systems are very competent. Contemporary Automatic Temperature Control set-ups are more reliable than the older vacuum and thermostatic creations. The cooling systems ensure that both the passenger and driver have a comfortable drive.
Car air conditioners have seen incrementally significant improvements with the passage of time and are more efficient as well as affordable. The range of varieties has increased as well along with mass acceptability.
