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AUTOTRONICS COURSE -ANINNOVATIVE APPROACH IN MODERN
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION IN AFRICA FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT BY
Article in International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research · January 2015
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International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 6, Issue 1, January-2015 1619
ISSN 2229-5518
AUTOTRONICS COURSE – ANINNOVATIVE APPROACH IN
MODERN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION IN AFRICA
FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
BY
1,2Mechanical and Aerospace Ground Engineering Department (MAGED), Air
Force Institute of Technology, Air Force Base Kaduna - Kaduna, Nigeria.
3Mechanical Engineering Department, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
The paper describes an Autotronics course addressing the current and
anticipated skill shortages of car mechanics and employers in car
garages.Autotronics could be describe as an artificial word that combines
automotive sector and electronics content. It has without doubt been at the heart
of every meaningful automobile industrial breakthrough recorded in the last two
centuries and is continually transforming maintenance operations with endless
discovery of new techniques. In Africa, there is need to provide effective
industrious and institution affiliations where autotronics skill acquisition can be
used to reduce unemployment among our teaming youths and enhances the
maintenance skills of our incompetent
mechanics. In advanced countries of the world, autotronics plays important role
in their socio-economic development of their citizens. The course uses an
innovative, blended learning approach, which combines multimedia with
sophisticated classroom training in order to meets the standards and challenges
of modern
automotive technologies worldwide. The course contains a comprehensive suite
of
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modules, which allow self-guided learning to be completed at the learner’s own
pace, be up to date, highly interactive and practical. Content of the course
modules and topics of the practical training, dedicated to automotive electronics
and OBD (On Board Diagnosis) are considered.
Key words: Autotronics, automotive sector, vocational training, technology
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this paper is to encourage Government, institutions, private
companies, car garage owners and unemployed youths in our society of Africa
continent to embrace and support Autotronics as a course to be studied or a
certain engineering skill to be acquired. Once this is done, it will reduce
unemployment in our society and will ultimately improve our socio-economic
development of our dear continent Africa.
The training needed for car garage and car mechanic qualifications has changed
significantly in the past few years. A wide variety of technological
developments in the automobile industries are responsible for this. Though, the
need to give emphasis on youth skills development, especially for the less
privilege, educated, poor and school drop-out has been neglected for some time
now throughout the African region. Thus, skill acquisition among our youth
needs to be encouraged. The educational level attainment in African countries is
not showing much impact on the work force, knowing the fact that these are
indicators of determining the productivity and income level, as well as the
economic strength of any nation.
In this paper we looked at autotronics as a tool for industrialization and
promoting modern automotive technology for sustainable development of
African continent. There is need to address knowledge gap on autotronics skills
in most of the African
countries, in order to rescue the continent. This unique skill has without doubt
been
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at the heart of every meaningful Automobile industrial breakthrough recorded in
the last two centuries and is continually revolutionizing the maintenance
operations with endless discovery of new techniques.
Furthermore, very few if any among the African tertiary institutions of higher
learning that offered a Degree or HND in automotive engineering with
speciality in autotronics in both universities and polytechnics. None to mention
that possesses adequate and up to date equipment and laboratory facilities
capable of carrying out effective research and experiment needed in this modern
automotive technology. Though, several papers were presented by so many
researchers in different fields
of engineering, suggesting ways by which our socio-economic development of
our society could improve. The fundamental benediction of studying autotronics
as a course in our tertiary institutions and as a skill in our skill acquisition
centres is the empowerment of vulnerable group, talented unemployed youths
and engineering graduates in the society.
AUTOTRONICS
The Autotronics is referred to as modern automotive technology in the field of
automobile engineering. Significantly, it has many applications in motor
vehicles technology. Autotronics as an aspect of automobile engineering
presents basics, advantages, layout and components and functional operation of
various computer controlled motor vehicle systems. In addition, it clarifies how
to use recent diagnostic tools and equipment for fault finding and analysis. It
deals with computer controlled motor vehicle systems like; engine management,
ABS (Anti Brake Skid), TCS (Traction Control), SCS (Stability Control) and
others. The self- diagnosis and fault codes are also included.
Some of the modern cars are as much electronic as they are mechanical, thus
creating a new AUTOTRONIC area (AUTOmobile + elecTRONIC). A modern
car has several control modules, which monitor and manage most of the major
systems
in the vehicle. The most common types are engine and drive line control, cruise
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control, suspension control, anti-lock braking and airbag control, climate
control, GPS-based navigation system, stability management system,
instrumentation, infotainment, etc. Systems such as steering systems, collision
warning, voice recognition, Internet access, night vision enhancement and
collision avoidance systems [1, 2, 7, and 5].
MODERN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
The modern automobile is a complex technical system employing subsystems
with specific design functions. Some of these consist of thousands of
component parts that have evolved from breakthroughs in existing technology
or from new technologies such as electronic computers, high-strength plastics,
and new alloys of steel and nonferrous metals. Some subsystems have come
about as a result of factors such as air pollution, safety legislation, and foreign
competition. The fig.1 below shows a typical vehicle, indicating the major
functional components of an automobile.
Fig.1 the Major Functional Components of an Automobile.
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SKILLS ACQUISITION CENTRES IN AFRICA
The evolvement of new fields of engineering operations and methods
discovered through adequate research and technology advancement necessitated
the establishment of skills training centres in most African countries to serve as
a bridge between the academia and industry. The aim is to bring together the
practicing engineering professionals from the industry and the academicians
from higher institution of learning to exchange ideas and knowledge in ensuring
that required skills are imparted adequately.
Though, the idea to establish industrial skills training centre in most African
countries was conceived in 1978, following years of periodic appraisal of the
effort of various formal and non-formal vocational institutions. The industrial
training fund in a bid to introduce into the national economy an effective and
vocational training system, commissioned a study of in-plant and apprentice
training in Africa. The vocational training in the formal vocational training
institutions was more or less improvised and geared more towards theory than
practices. Almost all the vocational training institutions suffer from lack of
funds, qualified and experienced instructors and equipment [10].
In a bid to introduce a modern and systematic vocational training system which
is broad-based in nature, industrial training fund in 1981 took a policy decision
to go into direct training of craftsmen and technicians by establishing industry-
oriented vocational training institutions which is called Industrial Skills
Training Centre (ISTC).
The Centre’s objectives are therefore to:
1. Trains and develops high level skilled manpower in the occupational area that
exists in the Centre.
2. Liaises with the industrials to upgrade the skills of their work force for
improved productivity.
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3. Undertakes studies to establish the skill requirements of industries and
develop job specifications for purposes of skills training.
4. Empowers the youth through skills acquisition programme aimed a job
creation and entrepreneurship development.
5. Designs and implements booster courses based on industry’s perceived needs.
6. Certifies and issues trainees with ITF competency certificate at the successful
completion of the programme.
All these are bold steps in improving the professionalism of our industrial
workforce and indeed to train our redundant teaming youths of our dear
continent, Africa. The aim is to reduce unemployment for sustainable socio-
economic development of our society. But the aim could not be achieved
without looking at the other aspects of development like the field of modern
automotive technology, specifically, ‘Autotronics’. As we all know modern
sophisticated vehicles are being imported into the continent without actually
having adequate well skilled manpower to handle the aftersales services on
those vehicles, perhaps making the end users uncomfortable. One of the ways to
alleviate that is to ensure adequate manpower in the field of autotronics.
Therefore, the need to introduce
‘AUTOTRONICS’, as a course in our higher institutions of learning and indeed
as an occupational area in our vocational training centres cannot be
overemphasized. THE NEED FOR AUTOTRONICS EDUCATION IN
AFRICA
As is the case in all areas of industry, lifelong learning is essential for the
workforce, in order to stay viable in markets over the long term. Ongoing car
mechanics re-skilling is being pushed ahead in particular due to the following
developments:
1. The introduction of electronic and communications components from
different manufacturers, based on different standards;
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2. Increasing technical complexity at the workplace in car garages
(introduction of new machines, diagnostic technologies);
3. Increasing competitive pressure on limited brand-authorized car garages in
the country;
4. The existence of unskilled mechanics in most of our car garages and as a
consequence of this, the demand for garages to acquire basic knowledge of
Autotronics that can be used for maintenance and trouble-shooting for different
brands.
5. While large car garages with exclusive contracts with major car brands are
responding to the growing demands for employee qualification with more
extensive training budgets and systematic continuing education courses, the
small and medium size garages are at a structural disadvantage in terms of staff
training and development, due to limited financial and staffing resources.
To address these challenges and to fill the gap between current state of car
servicing and the skill manpower requirements, an Autotronics course needs to
be introduced to meet up the skill manpower demand of small and medium
sized car garages and so-called roadside car mechanics garages.
AUTOTRONICS COURSE STRUCTURE AND TRAINING
The Autotronics course is based on the traditional classroom theoretical and
practical training. The practical training should be provided in well-equipped
Laboratory or Workshop. The course contains a comprehensive module in
combination with sophisticated classroom training specifically designed to meet
the needs of car garages and car mechanics. This module is adapted to local
requirements; allow self-guided learning to be completed at the learner´s own
pace,
be up to date and highly practical offering interactive multimedia elements.
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The course breaks down into three course modules made up of the following
thematic areas as shown below:
Autotronics Professional level I
This level covers such activities as checking circuitresistance,continuity, testing
basic electrical/electronic components; performing series and parallel circuit
test; measuring current and voltage; calculating total
resistance/impedance;practicing Ohm’s and Kirchhoff’s laws;analyzing
waveforms and measure signals values like peak, frequency, period; testing
circuit with electronic components like diode rectifier, Zener diode, voltage
limiter, transistor switch in driving circuit; troubleshootingconcerning opens,
shorts and grounds in circuits, existence of unwanted resistances and
analyzing AC signal waveforms for fault discovering. Teaching aims in this
module concern learner ability to read and analyze wiring diagrams; creation of
learner self-confidence in multimeter and oscilloscope usage, interpret readings
and determine needed repair; ability to relate fault in a circuit and reason that
cause it. The summary of the course outline is as shown:
• Introduction to Automotive Systems
• Electrical Fundamental
• Basics of Measurement Techniques
• Basics of Automotive Electronics
• Basic Hydraulic and Pneumatic Components
• Electrical Power Supply in Cars
• Practical Training for the Level 1 covers General Electrical System
Diagnosis and Services
Autotronics Professional level II
The second level activities include testing various sensorsand their circuits
(temperature sensor, throttle position sensor,MAP sensor, Knock sensor, MAF
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sensor); reading and interpreting automotive manual data; testing actuators with
Pulse Width modulation (relay, EGR valve); measuring computer outputs; using
diagnosis flowchart to localize trouble in sensor/actuator/circuitry; relate trouble
symptom with the reason of its appearance.
Teaching aims in this module concern learner ability to read and interpret
automotive manual data, ability to choose and apply different testing methods of
vehicle sensors and actuators; ability to test and diagnose temperature sensors
and their circuits; relate measured data with expected reaction of control
modules, ability to test and diagnose different automotive sensors and their
circuits; ability to relate troubles with engine behavior, ability to test motors and
relate trouble symptoms with reason of its appearance; ability to relate troubles
with vehicle behavior, understanding pulse width modulation for controlling
actuators. The summary of the course outline is as shown:
• Basics of Sensors and Actuators
• Automotive Computers
• Gasoline Engine Management Systems
• Diesel Engine Management Systems
• Practical Training for the Level 2 covers Sensors’ and Actuators’ Diagnosis
and Services
Autotronics Professional level III
The last level accentuates upon OBD (On-board Diagnostic) data retrieval
andDTC (Diagnostic Trouble codes) diagnosis by using liveexperiments with
scan OBDII Tool.
Teaching aims in this module concern trainee’s preparation to perform a scan
tester diagnosis on a car, their ability to use the scan tool software and hardware
to read
data from an EOBD compliant car and analyze this data, the learner readiness to
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create and use symptom charts to set up a strategic approach to troubleshooting
problems. The summary of the course outline is as shown:
• Emission Control
• On-Board Diagnostic (OBD)
• Road Safety Systems
• Automatic Transmissions
• Electronic Suspension and Steering System
• Communication systems
• Comfort and Safety Systems
• Practical Training for the Level 3 covers Live Experiments with scan OBDII
Tool
All course modules combine basic knowledge with their specific fields of
application in the car industry. The objective of the course is to impart core
competencies applicable across brands in the topics mentioned, supporting users
in their day-today work on the cars of different manufacturers.
THE IMPORTANT OF AUTOTRONICS COURSE
By the end of the course, participant will be able to:
• Outline the advantages of autotronics applications in motor vehicle
technology.
• Outline the basics of electronic control (sensing, data processing, actuating,
closed loop).
• Describe the structure and the functional operation of vehicle computer,
sensors and actuators.
• Explain how engine computer controlled systems work.
• Explain how automotive chassis related computer controlled systems work.
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• List and describe the principle of operation of modern vehicles diagnostic
tools & equipment.
• List and describe the used modern motor vehicles diagnostic techniques.
• Troubleshoot problems of all type professionally.
• And ultimately be able to carry out maintenance on vehicles according to the
respective manufactures’ specifications.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In view of the fact that this initiative hinges on the fact that trainees will become
self-employed and employers which will reduce pressure on labour market, the
following recommendations are made practical.
• Skill acquisition centres should be established for Autotronics.
• Practical skills necessary for self-employment in Autotronics are to be
identified.
• The skill area of Autotronics should be segmented for both small and medium
car garages.
• Adequate training and instructional materials should be provided in the
training centres.
• Commercial banks should extend their credit services to the development of
car garages.
• Investment guarantee agencies for establishment of car garages to cater for the
limited-resource entrepreneur with the business potential should be established.
CONCLUSION
The paper considers an innovative approach dedicated to modern automotive
technology education for Government, Institutions, car mechanics and
employers
in car garages. It combines the advantages of an intensive classroom training
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(individual learner’s pace, use of multimedia, etc.) and the possibility of
applying theoretical knowledge acquired directly on the real car.
It is our belief that action taken in this direction will empower youth for
economic and social development and indeed will promote the modern
automotive technology for sustainable development in Africa.
REFERENCES
[1] Automotive Handbook, 6th edition. Robert Bosch GmbH, Bentley
Publishers, 2004;
[2] Diesel-Engine Management, 3th edition. Robert Bosch GmbH, Bentley
Publishers, 2004;
[3] Gasoline-Engine Management, 2nd edition. Robert Bosch GmbH, Bentley
Publishers, 2004;
[4] Lack Erjavec, Automotive Technology A systems approach, 4th edition,
Thomson Delmar Learning, 2005, USA;
[5] Willliam B., Ribens, Understanding Automotive Electronics, 6-th Edit., an
In print of Elsevier Science, USA, 2004;
[6] Autotronics Project “Blended Learning Solution Imparting Automotive and
Electronics (Autotronics) Competencies for Car Garages and Car Mechanics
with European Wide Accepted
Certificates”http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/eten/cf/opdb/c f/
Project/index.cfm?mode=detail&project_ref=ETEN-029284
[7] Encyclopedia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite, Accessed on the 10th
July, 2013
[8] Dr. El-Namaki M.S.S. (2012): “Developing and Promoting Technology and
Technical Skills in small-scale rural manufacturing enterprises”. Director, RVB
Delft; Research Institute for Management Science, Netherlands.
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[9] Maina, N.S. (2007): “Engineering Education In Nigeria. Problems and way
Forward”. Proceedings of the International Conference. Nigerian society of
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[10] EZENWAKA B.C and TIJANI A. “Practical skill up-grading in
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[11] TIJANI A. and GIRBO A. A. “Welding and fabrication: tools for
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