What is an Automotive Electronic Control System?
2 Answers
Automotive electronic control system refers to the integration of sensors on the vehicle with mechanical systems (typically combined with subsystems of the powertrain, chassis, and body systems), utilizing cables or radio waves to transmit information between components. Automotive electronic control systems can generally be divided into four parts: engine electronic control system, integrated chassis control system, body electronic safety system, and information communication system. Among these, the first two systems are directly related to the vehicle's driving performance and consist of three main components: input section (such as sensors, switches, buttons, etc.), logic section (such as relays, contacts, etc.), and execution section (such as electromagnetic coils, indicator lights, etc.). Different equipment has different control circuits, and the control methods for high-voltage electrical equipment differ from those for low-voltage electrical equipment.
When I worked at an auto repair shop, I often dealt with this. Simply put, a car's electronic control system is like the vehicle's electronic butler. It uses a bunch of sensors to monitor data like engine temperature and air intake, then lets the computer chip calculate the optimal solution. For example, when you press the accelerator, the electronic control system immediately adjusts the fuel injection volume to make the engine both powerful and fuel-efficient. Without this system, modern cars could see a one-third increase in fuel consumption. It also manages functions like automatic gear shifting and anti-lock braking. Mechanics have to use specialized diagnostic tools to communicate with it. However, these systems are very sensitive to water damage and unauthorized modifications. Once the wiring has issues, the whole car can act up. It's recommended to have a professional system check every 20,000 kilometers.
