Knock Sensor

Jeremy Ellis
Fall 2009

Overview

Background
Sensor
Piezoelectric Effect
System Circuit
Benefits
Common Applications
Challenges

What is knocking?

What are Knocks??

- high frequency
vibrations caused
by detonation, or
the premature
burning of fuel
inside an engine's
cylinders

How can it be prevented?

Why do we care?? Knocks can rob power

from the engine and
worst, destroy the
engine itself.
How can we prevent
knocking?? lower
compression ratio,
higher octane fuel,
change driving habits
orMECHATRONICS!

Need
a
tow?
?

The Sensor

Knock Sensors generate a voltage

when vibration is applied to them
utilizing the piezoelectric effect
Generated voltage is proportional
to the acceleration
Due to the vibration, a counter
weight inside the sensor is
applying pressure on the piezo
element, this pressure creates an
electric charge in the piezo
element which is the output signal
of the sensor.
Tuned to engine knock frequency
(typically 6-8kHz)

How it works - Piezoelectric

effect

Discovered by Pierre and Jacque

Curie in late 19th century
Principle began use in industrial
sensing applications in 1950s
Piezoelectric elements generate
voltage when pressure or vibration
is applied to them
Ceramics and single crystal
materials

Knock Sensor Circuit

Once signs of detonation are detected (i.e.

knocking), the knock sensor sends a voltage signal
to the engine management computer which retards
the spark timing slightly to avoid detonation.

Benefits

Vehicle engines work more efficiently

and produce more power when
operating near the detonation limit.
Although simple, knock sensors
allow optimum engine performance
and protect the engine from
potential damage caused by
detonation.

Common Applications

Piston driven
engines, both
gasoline and diesel

Challenges (knocks)

Piezoelectric elements can be sensitive

to more than one physical dimension
Operate in harsh environment (dirt,
grease, moisture, road salt, etc.) for
automotive applications
Ceramic materials lack long term
stability
Sensor can be fooled by things like bad
water pump or alternator bearing, or a
loose rod bearing

Summary

Understand engine knocking and its

effects
Knock Sensors based on Piezoelectric
effect
Generated voltage is proportional to the
acceleration
Knock sensors allow optimum engine
performance and protect the engine from
potential damage caused by detonation

Back-Up Charts

Sample Voltage versus

Frequency

Notice
peak
voltage
at
about
7 kHZ.

Ordering Data

Prices range from approximately

$50 to $300 depending on model
Models vary by automobile
manufacturer
Aftermarket and OEM models

References

wikipedia.com
partstrain.com
autoshop101.com
piezocryst.com
misterfixit.com