What Are Electude Simulators? Learn About This Automotive E-Learning System
Lincoln Tech Describes The Electude Learning Management System
One of the most comprehensive and detailed automotive training systems in use today is the Electude Learning Management System (LMS). What is Electude? Founded by Koen Berends and John Vlaarin in 1990 with the purpose of creating a hands-on interactive learning management system for automotive students, Electude simulators produce an immersive experience for training future technicians. With the Electude LMS, students work with actual components and systems in real-time, isolated from the actual vehicle so the student can observe every action without distraction.
These trainers are built to replicate many different electrical sub-systems, such as the lighting system, power accessories, engine management, among others. The real flexibility comes with what lays within each trainer: a built-in programmable fault-simulation system, where the instructor can initiate equipment failures and malfunctions, and the student needs to solve them. This flexibility allows the student to see all of the components in action, and observe how the system behaves as they troubleshoot their way to a solution.
Electude simulators have been integrated in the auto technician program curriculums at Lincoln Tech. This is a natural fit because the approach applies to the hands-on philosophies of both firms.
Electude Simulators and E-Learning Components
The backbone of the Electude System are the Electude simulators. These learning systems are what allows the student to build knowledge and experience, and apply it in real-world scenarios. They merge theory and practice, as well as hardware and software. There are many types of simulators, and each merges theory and practice to achieve key learning goals. The Connect system can be built out in many configurations to address specific systems in various vehicles. Here are examples of the simulators found in the Automotive Technology program:
Connect Trainers
The Connect trainer system is designed to physically display the complete exterior lighting system of a vehicle. Powering this training aid is a system that allows the student to respond to fault conditions created and run by the instructor. Putting actual components in front of the student allows them to test their skill at diagnosing and solving electrical problems anywhere within the lighting system. By increasing the complexity of the simulation, the student can develop valuable skills in electrical troubleshooting.
Connect Engine Management
Engine management is one of the most complex systems on a vehicle, and usually includes a wide array of sophisticated sensors, actuators, injectors, pumps, relays and engine control modules. The Connect Engine Management system allows the simulation of a diverse array of fuel delivery systems, including multi-port fuel injection, direct injection for gasoline engines, and turbo-diesel fuel injection. Because of the multitude of parts and the logic that controls them, students will spend time using the simulation to understand how to identify parts and the use, how to determine if a component has failed, and why. The student is able to diagnose engine control functionality using specialized diagnostic testing equipment, oscilloscopes, and multimeters.
Connect Electrical fundamentals
Before a student can really understand the complex electrical components of an automobile, they need to learn and understand the fundamentals of electricity. With the Connect Electrical Fundamentals trainer, students learn how electricity is generated, how it flows, and how it is used by various components. Using this trainer and the e-learning modules, students will learn:
- The interaction of electrical principles (Ohm's Law)
- Types of circuits in a modern automobile
- Networked systems
- How to build circuits
- How to measure voltage, resistance and amperage
Hands-on practical work can include troubleshooting “faulty” circuits designed by the instructor to help the student work through errors and faults, and build their knowledge and skills working with complex electrical systems.
Electric Motors E-learning
Electric motors are used in many places on an automobile. Electric radiator fans, power windows, climate control fans, and power seat motors all draw power and have specific functions at various times. In hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, the role of the electric motor takes center stage as part of the main propulsion of the vehicle. All modern vehicle manufactured today have at least a few electric motors as part of the vehicle’s design.
The Electric Motors e-learning provides a learning solution for students to learn about electric motors. The E-Learning uses visuals and content to teach the student how to identify the type of motor, how it operates and why. The instructor can follow the students progress through the learning module by reviewing keystroke history, which the instructor can use to provide instant feedback to the student. This training simulator encompasses every type of motor and generator (within the operating range of 0 to 24 Volts) found within the systems of today’s automotive designs.
Connect Circuit Diagnosis
Electude’s circuit diagnosis trainer combines schematics, visuals and hands-on interaction, allowing the student to gain an understanding of basic relays and circuits, common faults and diagnostics. This simulator records every keystroke the student makes, allowing the instructor to both monitor the student’s decision making, and using the record to debrief the student after the lesson with visuals. The system presents e-learning lessons using three common types of circuits: series, parallel, and series parallel. Each circuit has multiple built-in failures that an instructor can insert into the lesson, allowing the student time to logically diagnose the existing fault and arrive at a solution. . The V1 through V4 diagnostic process allows the student to measure voltages; with these measurements, the student can pinpoint the reason for the fault or faults.
Connect Serial Communication
The Electude Serial Communication simulator introduces the student from the basics of networked onboard systems and into an advanced understanding of how modularized systems talk to each other. As with the circuit diagnosis simulator, the serial communication simulator uses a combination of realistic looking 3D imagery, informative text, and a series of test questions designed to allow the student time to assess their own progress. This system engages the student through hands-on work with parallel communications, the CAN bus system, serial communications, connectivity and wiring harnesses, and the configuration of networks. It also provides the student with the time to work with an oscilloscope so they can measure, test and properly configure systems.
Connect - Actuator
Actuators come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have a similar function: receiving a prompt from an electrical or mechanical prompt, and carrying out a movement or function as designed. The Connect Actuator presents basic circuits with actuators, and simulates how they would appear and operate in a modern automobile. The e-learning system guides students through hands-on training where they experiment with components and the wiring harness that connects them. As students gain knowledge and experience of basic circuitry, they gain the ability to perform diagnostics on an actuating system, measure performance and diagnose when an actuator is not functioning properly.
Connect - Sensor
Sensors of all kinds exist on a modern production vehicle, and we’ve identified a few already in some of the previously described simulators. The speed and position sensors (encoders in this case) of the MRE system and various engine sensors used in fuel and ignition management are all great examples of sensors. This simulator starts with the basics of sensors, how to measure the functions of sensors, and diagnose faults. Like all Electude simulators, the sensor e-learning provides the components needed to build out systems in a hands-on learning environment.
Connect CAN-Bus
In the simplest design, a “bus” is a collection of wires that transport signal information from one point to another. A controller area network bus (CAN-Bus) is an industry standard designed for vehicle buses, and this enables communication between two or more electronic components. In late-model vehicles, the CAN-Bus essentially allows multiple Electronic Control Units (ECUs) to exchange data without a central computer.
The CAN-Bus idea began in the 1980s when engineers at Bosch systems began to explore the possibility of applying serial bus systems to automotive features. A few years later, the Society of Automotive Engineers introduced the Automotive Serial Controller Area Network, and Intel developed and introduced the purpose-built CAN 82526 processor chip. Manufacturers continued to invest and develop systems based on this common framework, and today, late model vehicle all contain some form of CAN-Bus technology.
Electude Simulators Work Together To Enhance Learning
As we’ve shown in the previous section, we’ve learned that the CAN-Bus System provides the environment to allow multiple connected electronic control units to exchange vital information without the need for a master CPU.
A major advantage that the interconnection between different vehicle systems provides is that it allows a wide range of safety options to be implemented using software instead of a complex hard-wired automotive electrical system. Automotive CAN-Bus examples include collision avoidance and automatic brake wiping, Auto start/stop features, and many more.
Electude simulators allow the student to learn about how each system or subsystem can communicate and enhance safety and functionality. Future technicians will want to become as knowledgeable as possible with CAN-Bus systems, sensors, actuators, and a host of other systems; by building a solid knowledge base, developing diagnosis and troubleshooting skills, and become a valuable asset to any organization that requires those skills. Contact us to learn more about Electude and how it can help you become an auto technician.
