Oxygen Sensor: Description and Operation

A/F Sensor / Heated Oxygen Sensor
To obtain a high purification rate for the CO, HC and NOx components of the exhaust gas, a three-way catalytic converter is used, but for the most efficient use of the three-way catalytic converter, the air-fuel ratio must be precisely controlled so that it is always close to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.

The A/F sensor has the characteristic that provides output voltage* approximately proportional to the existing air-fuel ratio. The A/F sensor output voltage is used to provide feedback for the ECM to control the air-fuel ratio.

By the A/F sensor output, the ECM can determine the deviation amount from the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio and control the proper injection time immediately. If the A/F sensor is malfunctioning, ECM is unable to perform accurate air-fuel ratio control.

The A/F sensor is equipped with a heater which heats the zirconia element. The heater is controlled by the ECM. When the intake air volume is low (the temp. of the exhaust gas is low), current flows to the heater to heat the sensor for accurate oxygen concentration detection.

*: The voltage value changes at the inside of the ECM only.