A condenser that is 30% smaller and 20% lighter than previous models has been developed by Denso and launched with Toyota’s new Corolla which went on sale earlier this month.
Condensers cool high-pressure refrigerant vapour from compressors and condense it into liquid for the car’s air conditioning system. Since air conditioning is a drain on energy, making the system more efficient boosts the car’s fuel economy.
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Being smaller also helps designers because it allows for greater flexibility.
The new condenser is 11 mm wide; conventional models are 16 mm wide.
Denso said it achieved the breakthrough by redesigning key components such as tubes and fins. The changes helped increase the size of the space from which the heat is released by 20%.
Denso has 30% of the world’s market for vehicle condensers and said it wants to raise that to 35%.
