Automotive Sensors & Actuators
Automotive Sensors & Actuators
Automotive Sensors & Actuators
Presentation Outline
Sensors in an Automobile
Classification of Sensors
Automotive Engine Sensors
Automotive Engine Actuators
Engine Map
Sensors in an Automobile
Transducer
A device that converts energy of one form into energy of another form.
Examples: Sensors and Actuators
Sensor
A device that responds to a physical stimulus (measurand).
Actuator
A device or mechanism capable of performing a physical action.
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Classification of Sensors
Contact sensor
A sensor that requires physical contact with the stimulus.
Eg. Strain gauges and most temperature sensors.
Non-contact sensor
Requires no physical contact.
Eg. Most optical and magnetic sensors, infrared thermometers.
Absolute sensor
A sensor that reacts to a stimulus on an absolute scale.
Eg. Thermistors, strain gauges, etc.
(Thermistor always read absolute temperature).
Relative scale
The stimulus is sensed relative to a fixed or variable reference.
Eg. Thermocouple measures the temperature difference,
Pressure is often measured relative to atmospheric pressure.
Information gathering
Control
Actuation
Information Gathering
Provides data to give an understanding of the current status of system
parameters.
Eg. Car speed sensor and speedometer.
Control
Once this information is gathered by sensors, it is conditioned and
then input to the controller to process and generate an appropriate
response.
Actuation
The controller then provides an output to perform a physical action.
Eg. Information from the wheel speed sensor in an anti-lock braking
system is used to control applied brake pressure and thus stop the
wheel skidding during braking.
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Sensors
Control
Actuators
Block diagram of
inputs and outputs
common to most
fuel injection
systems
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Block diagram of
inputs and outputs
common to most
vehicle control
system
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S.No
1
2
3
Name of the
Location
component
Throttle position sensor Throttle body
Throttle body
Fuel tank
Fuel injector
ECM
MAP sensor
On intake manifold
Engine coolant
temperature sensor
On thermostat case
IAC valve
Function
Name of the
component
IAT sensor
Air cleaner
Measures temperature
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On transmission
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Camshaft position
sensor
On Sensor case on
camshaft left side
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Crankshaft position
sensor
On oil pan
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On starter
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PSP switch
On power steering
pump
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Diagnostic switch
terminal
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Oxygen sensor
Exhaust manifold
S.No
Location
Function
Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensor is located on the exhaust manifold. This
sensor monitors the amount of unburned oxygen present in
the exhaust. When the fuel mixture is rich, most of the
oxygen is exhausted during the combustion. So, only a
little unburned oxygen will be left out in the exhaust.
Difference in the oxygen levels creates an electrical
potential, which causes the sensor to generate a voltage
signal. This helps the ECU to check the quality of fuel
mixture to make the changes accordingly. The sensor
output will be high if the fuel mixture is rich, and the
sensor output will be low if the fuel mixture is lean.
Automotive Sensors
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The ECM uses this information for fuel injection timing and for
variable valve timing systems.
Combined with the crankshaft position sensor signal, the ECM can
determine the engine firing order.
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Position Sensors
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Linear Potentiometer
Resistance
elements
are
commonly made of thin
nickel or platinum wire.
Rotary Potentiometer
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Airflow Sensor
The air moving past the sensor turns the vanes against a spring.
The vane that is out of the airflow is used to damp out any
oscillations caused by the pulsed air
Measuring plate
Damping plate
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Linear Potentiometer
Resistance
elements
are
commonly made of thin
nickel or platinum wire.
Rotary Potentiometer
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The Mass Air Flow Sensors converts the amount of air drawn into a
voltage signal.
The air flow sensor is located directly in the intake air system,
between the air cleaner and throttle body.
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An increase in air flow will cause the hot wire to lose heat faster
and an electronic control circuitry will compensate by sending
more current through the wire.
Based in the EGO sensor signal, the ECM will adjust the amount
of fuel injected into the intake air stream.
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based
on
the
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Common Types
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Oxygen Sensor
High voltage: fuel mixture rich, little unburned oxygen
Low voltage: fuel mixture lean, excess oxygen
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Temperature Sensors
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Temperature Sensors
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Thermistors
Thermistors
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When the sensor is cold, the resistance of the sensor is high, and the
voltage signal is high.
As the sensor warms up, the resistance drops and voltage signal
decreases.
From the voltage signal, the ECM can determine the temperature of
the coolant, intake air, or exhaust gas temperature.
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Pressure Sensors
Pressure sensors are used to measure intake manifold pressure,
atmospheric pressure, vapour pressure in the fuel tank, etc.
The operating principles are similar.
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Knock Sensor
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Knock Sensor
The voltage output from the Knock Sensor is highest at the time of
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knocking.
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Automotive Actuators
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Classification of Actuators
Based on Actuation
Electromechanical Actuators
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Electromechanical Actuators
1. Solenoids
2. Relays
3. Electrical Motors
DC motor
AC motor
Stepper Motor
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Load
1,000
2,000
10
3,000
12 15
4,000
12
16 20
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Real control systems may have more than 100 parameters, each
with its own lookup table.
Next example: A and B are parameters that come from sensors.
Let's say that A is coolant temperature and B is oxygen level.
If coolant temperature equals 100 and oxygen level equals 3, the
lookup tables tell us that Factor A = 0.8 and Factor B = 1.0.
pulse width = (base pulse width) x (factor A) x (factor B)
The overall pulse width = 8 x 0.8 x 1.0 = 6.4 milliseconds
So,
Factor A
B Factor B
1.2
0 1.0
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1.1
1 1.0
50
1.0
2 1.0
75
0.9
3 1.0
100
0.8
4 0.75
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Engine Map
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Camless Engines
Cams replaced by piezoelectric actuators and embedded controls
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EGR Control
Stepper Motor
Stepper Motor
Stepper Motor
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