Automotive

Sensors/Actuators
Sensor – Input
Actuator - output
 Electro magnetic sensors
• By running electric
current through a HowStuffWorks How Electromagnets Work.swf

wire, you can create a

magnetic field.
 Applications
• : (1) crankshaft position for ignition and
fuel injection control; and
• (2) road wheel rotational speed relative to
vehicle frame for anti-lock braking (ABS)
and traction control (TCS).
 Variable reluctance type
((resistance to magnetism)
•an iron rotor with lobes on it;
•a permanent magnet;
•a metallic path (the pole piece) for
carrying the magnetic flux;
•a coil, wound around the metallic
path, in which a voltage is induced.
 HALL EFFECT SENSORS
• The Hall element is a small section of
semiconductor material such as silicon
When a magnetic field is imposed on the
Hall element, a current will flow in circuit 2.
Optical sensors
 Piezoceramic sensor
the sensing element produces a
small electric charge when it is
compressed and then relaxed
Variable resistance type sensors
Exhaust gas oxygen sensors
Voltaic type (Zerconia)
EGO sensor output voltage
The titania sensor reacts to changes in the partial pressure of oxygen in
the exhaust gas. Changes in the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust
gas cause the resistance of the sensor material to change
Air flow measurement
Karman Vortex Air Flow Meter
 Hot wire type
• Compensating wire and a
• Sensing wire

• The compensating wire has a small electric current

passing through it and the electronic circuit is able to
determine the temperature of the incoming air by
measuring the resistance of this wire.
• The sensing wire is ‘hot’, about 100 C above the
temperature of the compensating wire. This
temperature is maintained by varying the current
flowing through it.
Stepper motor