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Body Electrical, Communication Networks, Air Conditioning, and Safety Systems

Automobile Maintenance (SSW 2) · 自動車整備分野(2号) · Written by Tokutei Pass based on the official study texts; not copied verbatim.

SRS Airbag and Seatbelt Pretensioner Structure and Handling Precautions

The 'SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System)' is a supplemental device to the seatbelt; when the 'front impact sensor' at the front of the vehicle detects deceleration (impact) during a frontal collision, it inputs that signal to the 'collision judgment circuit' inside the SRS unit (ECU).

Inside the SRS unit, a 'safing sensor' for preventing accidental activation is connected in series; only when both the collision judgment circuit and the safing sensor turn ON simultaneously is current supplied to the squib (igniter) of the inflator (gas generator) to deploy the airbag and activate the seatbelt pretensioner.

So that the system can operate even if the battery or cables are damaged in a collision, the SRS unit contains a built-in 'backup power source (capacitor)'. Therefore, before performing maintenance work, you must disconnect the negative (−) battery terminal and 'wait until the specified time (e.g., 90 seconds or more) has elapsed' before starting work.

Additionally, connectors used in the airbag system incorporate a 'mechanism (shorting bar) that automatically shorts all internal terminals together' when the connector is unplugged, preventing accidental deployment caused by static electricity.

Furthermore, directly measuring the resistance of an inflator (squib) alone with a circuit tester risks exploding and deploying the airbag via the measuring current from the tester's internal battery; therefore, 'you must NEVER measure inflator resistance with a circuit tester'.

SRS Airbag and Seatbelt Pretensioner Structure and Handling Precautions

Key points


  • The front impact sensor detects collision impact and inputs a signal to the 'collision judgment circuit' inside the SRS unit.

  • Airbag connectors have a 'structure that shorts the terminals together' when unplugged to prevent accidental activation from static electricity.

  • Inflator resistance 'must NEVER be measured with a circuit tester' due to the danger of accidental detonation from tester current.

  • Before work, disconnect the negative battery terminal and 'wait at least the specified time' for the backup power capacitor to discharge.
WordMeaning
front impact sensor and collision judgment circuit
safing sensor and backup power source
inflator (gas generator / squib)
terminal shorting mechanism (shorting bar)

CAN (Controller Area Network) Communication Structure and Signal Waveforms

'CAN communication', the mainstream in-vehicle network, uses a 'twisted-pair line (bus line)' consisting of twisted CAN-H and CAN-L wires to cancel external noise, with 'two 120Ω terminating resistors (one at each end)' connected in parallel at both ends of the bus line to prevent signal reflection.

Regarding CAN signal voltages: in the un-driven 'recessive (logic 1)' state, both CAN-H and CAN-L are at 'approx. 2.5V (0V potential difference)'; in the driven 'dominant (logic 0)' state, CAN-H is at 'approx. 3.5V' and CAN-L is at 'approx. 1.5V', creating an 'approx. 2.0V potential difference'.

When transmitting a large volume of data that cannot be sent in a single data frame, 'multi-frame transmission' is performed by splitting the data across multiple frames.

Furthermore, data on the bus line can be 'received simultaneously by multiple connected ECUs' so each takes in only the data it needs; if multiple ECUs start transmitting simultaneously, 'arbitration' by ID (identifier) ensures that higher-priority data is transmitted first.

Note that if an ECU's transmit error counter exceeds 255 and enters the 'Bus-Off state', 'only that faulty ECU stops participating in communication, while communication among the other normal ECUs continues uninterrupted' (statements claiming all ECUs stop communicating are false).

CAN (Controller Area Network) Communication Structure and Signal Waveforms

Key points


  • Both ends of the CAN bus line have 'two 120Ω terminating resistors' in parallel, giving a normal combined resistance of 'approx. 60Ω' when power is OFF.

  • Recessive (1) puts both lines at 2.5V (0V difference); Dominant (0) puts CAN-H at 3.5V and CAN-L at 1.5V (2.0V potential difference).

  • When entering the Bus-Off state (error counter > 255), 'only the faulty ECU stops communicating', while other normal ECUs continue communicating.

  • Example: Measuring resistance between DLC CAN-H and CAN-L terminals with power OFF (two 120Ω terminating resistors in parallel) → Combined resistance = 120 ÷ 2 = 60Ω

  • Example: During Dominant (logic 0) output when CAN-H voltage is 3.5V and CAN-L voltage is 1.5V, the inter-bus voltage difference → 3.5 − 1.5 = 2.0V
WordMeaning
twisted-pair wires (CAN-H and CAN-L)
terminating resistor (120Ω × 2 = 60Ω)
dominant (0) and recessive (1)
multi-frame transmission and Bus-Off state

Body and Frame Structure (Monocoque Body and Truck Ladder Frame)

A 'monocoque body (unitized shell structure)' widely adopted in passenger cars has no separate frame, instead integrating the 'frame and body into a single structure' so external loads are dispersed across the panels of the entire body, offering the advantages of being 'lightweight, highly rigid (strong), and providing a spacious cabin'.

However, compared to a body-on-frame (non-monocoque) structure, a monocoque body has the disadvantage that 'vibrations and noise from the road surface and engine are more easily transmitted throughout the cabin', so vibration-damping and sound-insulating materials are placed in various areas (claiming noise is less easily transmitted is incorrect).

Additionally, a 'collision safety body' combines 'crushable zones' at the front and rear that crumple efficiently in a collision to absorb impact energy with a high-strength 'safety cabin' that protects the occupant survival space.

Conversely, a 'ladder frame' used on trucks is constructed by joining 'two left and right side members running in the longitudinal (front-to-rear) direction' and 'multiple cross members connecting them in the transverse (left-to-right) direction' using rivets or bolts.

When reinforcing a truck frame, to prevent cracking due to stress concentration at the boundary, the thickness of the reinforcement plate must be 'equal to or thinner than the frame plate thickness', and the ends of the reinforcement plate are cut diagonally (tapered) to avoid abrupt rigidity changes.

Key points


  • A monocoque body integrates frame and body for light weight and high rigidity, but 'transmits vibration and noise more easily' than a frame-type body.

  • A truck frame consists of two longitudinal 'side members' (front-to-rear) and multiple transverse 'cross members' (left-to-right).

  • Frame reinforcement plate thickness must be 'equal to or thinner than the frame thickness' to prevent stress concentration (claiming thicker plates are used is false).
WordMeaning
monocoque body (unitized structure)
crushable zone and safety cabin
side members (longitudinal) and cross members (transverse)
frame reinforcement plate and stress concentration

Air Conditioner (Refrigeration Cycle, Swash-Plate Compressor, and Air-Mix System)

In a car air conditioner's 'refrigeration cycle', the 'compressor' draws in and compresses low-temperature, low-pressure gas refrigerant (HFC-134a or HFO-1234yf) sent from the evaporator, turning it into 'high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant' and pumping it to the condenser.

Among compressor types, a 'swash-plate compressor' converts the rotation of an inclined swash plate mounted on the shaft into axial 'reciprocating motion' of the pistons to draw in and compress refrigerant (statements claiming the pistons perform rotary motion are incorrect).

The 'condenser' cools the high-temperature, high-pressure gas refrigerant with outside air to liquefy it into 'high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant', and the following 'receiver (liquid tank)' separates gas from liquid and removes moisture and impurities via a desiccant and strainer.

The 'expansion valve' sprays the high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant from the receiver through a tiny orifice so it expands rapidly into a 'low-temperature, low-pressure mist refrigerant' fed into the evaporator, while regulating refrigerant flow according to cooling load.

In the 'evaporator', as the mist refrigerant evaporates, it absorbs latent heat of vaporization from the surrounding air to produce cool air. The 'air-mix system' for regulating outlet air temperature varies the opening of the air-mix damper to change the 'mixing ratio of cool air that passed through the evaporator and warm air passing through the heater core'.

Air Conditioner (Refrigeration Cycle, Swash-Plate Compressor, and Air-Mix System)

Key points


  • A swash-plate compressor converts rotation of the shaft swash plate into 'reciprocating motion' of the pistons to compress refrigerant.

  • The expansion valve rapidly expands high-temperature, high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a 'low-temperature, low-pressure mist refrigerant'.

  • The air-mix system controls temperature by using the air-mix damper to adjust the 'ratio of cool air and warm air passing through the heater core'.
WordMeaning
swash-plate compressor (piston reciprocating motion)
condenser and receiver (gas-liquid separation, moisture removal)
expansion valve (low-temperature, low-pressure mist refrigerant)
evaporator and air-mix damper

Advanced Safety Vehicles (ASV), Specific Maintenance, and Aiming Calibration

Modern 'Advanced Safety Vehicles (ASVs)' are equipped with 'Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB / collision damage mitigation braking)', which detects vehicles or pedestrians ahead to issue warnings and apply automatic braking, and 'Lane Keep Assist Systems (LKAS)', which recognize lane markings to control steering.

Regarding external recognition sensors, 'millimeter-wave radar' uses radio waves so it is resilient against bad weather such as rain, fog, and nighttime, accurately measuring distance and relative speed to preceding vehicles, whereas 'cameras (monocular or stereo)' excel at identifying lane lines, road signs, and pedestrian shapes.

Under the Road Transport Vehicle Act, 'Specific Maintenance' includes traditional disassembly maintenance plus 'Electronic Control System Maintenance': removing, installing, or changing the mounting angle of cameras and radars for automated driving or AEB, as well as removing or installing windshields or bumpers carrying those sensors.

After removing, installing, or replacing a camera or millimeter-wave radar, or after replacing a windshield, 'aiming work (calibration)' using dedicated targets or reflectors and an external diagnostic tester (scan tool) in a level workspace is mandatory to calibrate the optical axis and reference values so the sensor accurately recognizes the road ahead.

Key points


  • Removing/installing cameras or millimeter-wave radars for AEB or replacing windshields falls under 'Electronic Control System Maintenance (Specific Maintenance)'.

  • Millimeter-wave radar excels in bad weather and at night, while cameras excel at recognizing lane markings, pedestrians, and traffic signs.

  • After removing/replacing sensors or windshields, 'aiming (calibration) work' using targets and an external scan tool must be performed.
WordMeaning
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
millimeter-wave radar and monocular/stereo camera
Electronic Control System Maintenance (Specific Maintenance)
aiming work and target board

Common Exam Points and How to Remember Them

In the body electrical, communication, and air conditioning section, 4 to 5 questions appear every year from SRS airbags, CAN communication, monocoque bodies & truck frames, and the A/C refrigeration cycle.

For SRS airbags, lock in three points: 'Front impact sensor → inputs signal to collision judgment circuit in SRS unit', 'Unplugging the connector shorts the terminals together to prevent static deployment', 'Measuring inflator resistance with a circuit tester is strictly prohibited'.

For CAN communication, the must-know points are: 'Two 120Ω terminating resistors = 60Ω combined', 'Dominant (0) = CAN-H 3.5V & CAN-L 1.5V (2.0V diff); Recessive (1) = both 2.5V', 'Multi-frame split transmission & simultaneous reception', 'Bus-Off (error > 255) = only the faulty ECU stops communicating (all ECUs stopping is false)'.

For body and A/C, memorize: 'Monocoque = lightweight but transmits vibration/noise more easily', 'Truck frame = 2 longitudinal side members and transverse cross members, reinforcement plate ≤ frame thickness', 'Swash-plate compressor = piston reciprocating motion', 'Expansion valve = expands into low-temp, low-pressure mist refrigerant'.

Key points


  • SRS airbag: unplugging the connector 'shorts the terminals together'; measuring inflator resistance with a circuit tester is strictly prohibited.

  • CAN communication: two 120Ω terminating resistors (60Ω); during Bus-Off, 'only the faulty ECU' stops communicating while other ECUs continue.

  • Body & frame: Monocoque transmits noise more easily; truck frames have longitudinal side members and transverse cross members, with reinforcement plates ≤ frame thickness.

  • Air conditioner: swash-plate compressor pistons perform 'reciprocating motion', and the expansion valve turns refrigerant into a 'low-temp, low-pressure mist'.
WordMeaning
SRS airbag (terminal shorting mechanism)
CAN Bus-Off state and terminating resistor
monocoque body and side/cross members
swash-plate compressor and expansion valve

Body Electrical, Networks, A/C & Safety

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