Toyota interesting AC line design

[KrisZ]

I was poking around my newly acquired Toyota C-HR engine bay and noticed the AC lines looked different than what I’m used to.

- First is what looks like a slip on/quick connection, circled in yellow. Not sure how leak proof that will turn out to be.
- second is the high pressure line running inside the low pressure line, circled in red.
The second picture captures where the lines merge and then separate before going into, presumably the expansion valve. Not sure why it was done like this.

Has anyone seen this before?

 

[Audiman]

Quite a few Audi’s are like this now. Usually it’s where the pipe work doesn’t have much space.

 

[CDX825]

Running the liquid line through the suction line provides additional subcooling for the liquid refrigerant. Most likely done to assure the expansion valve has a steady supply of liquid refrigerant.

 

[Chris142]

most r1234yf cars do that as a way to lower head pressures.

 

[nthach]

Noticed that on the Prius Prime I had for a week. R-1234yf and chasing down every last .001mpg makes for interesting design. Oh, and the new Prius/RAV4 Prime actually uses the AC system to cool down the HV battery - while the rest of the Toyota hybrid lineup uses ambient air cooling.

 

[KrisZ]

I was thinking about the quick connection circled in yellow and I suspect it is a “weak point” designed to break away in case of a front end collision. R1234yf is flammable and highly toxic, this weak point would ensure the gasses escape away from the exhaust, which is in the back.