Inside a Car - What Is a Knock Sensor?

The ignition system of a vehicle is controlled by a computer that determines whether the engine timing is likely to cause a knock or detonation. During combustion, if there is a knock, the computer connected to the ignition system will limit the spark advance to prevent detonation from occurring.

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Every vehicle is fixed with a knock sensor for the control unit to the ignition system to anticipate a knock or detonation.

Any knock to an engine manifests as a small vibration that is detected by the knock sensor. This sensor works by changing the vibration to an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the computer controlling the ignition system. There the change in vibration to the voltage signal alters the timing adjustments on the ignition.

What Is a Knock Sensor's Function?

The knock sensor is made up of a piezoelectric element. A working principle for piezoelectric elements involves the transmission of an electrical current in response to detecting a change in pressure or vibration by these elements.

The piezoelectric element inside the knock sensor is tuned to detect the engine knock/detonation frequency. Figure 1 below illustrates the basic structure of a knock sensor. As demonstrated in figure 1, the knock sensor is made up of piezocrystals (piezoelectric elements), a shunt resistor and a thread at one end of the sensor, which allows for the device to be threaded into the block near the pistons.

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During combustion, a knock in the combustion chamber sends a vibration to the silicone rings attached to the piezoelectric crystals in the knock sensor (in the form of mechanical stress). The silicon ring is accelerated, forcing the knock sensor to generate an electrical voltage and a pressure wave through the cylinder block. Voltage output from the knock sensor will be high during a knock to the ignition system.

A typical voltage signal generated by the knock sensor can range between 300 millivolts to approximately 500 millivolts; however, this will depend purely on the intensity of the knock during combustion. The following video animates the operation of the knock sensor in a vehicle system:

Types of Knock Sensors

There are a number of knock sensors that can be used to detect a knock during combustion. Yet, the main type of knock sensors discussed in this article are piezoelectric sensors.

The main purpose of a knock sensor is to reduce the power of the ignition system and therefore inhibit any damage to the engine. Knocks to the engine can be caused by a number of reasons including overheating of the engine and poor fuel quality.

As mentioned previously, ignition timing is manipulated by a knock sensor. Plans for future engine management systems promote the idea of allowing the engine to run close to detonation, because this method gives the engine better control force and is more economical.

An acoustic sensor is often used as a knock sensor in vehicle engines. The device is a small microphone positioned against a cylinder block and detects vibrations while the engine runs. Detection of vibrations from a microphone is followed by an electrical signal to the engine control unit (ECU) to prepare the unit for a knock during combustion.

A relatively novel approach to knock sensors in an engine is known as ion sensing and works without the use of a sensor. This method is still novel to the vehicle sector and is not typically used on a wider scale in vehicle engines.

Yet, ever since it was reintroduced by BMW in 2005, a similar system has also been used by brands such as Ferrari, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz. Ion-sensing method requires a spark plug. Imagine a spark during combustion, the product of combustion (i.e., the burning mixture) converts the fuel and air into power to control the engine. By applying an electrical current across a pair of spark plugs during the ignition of an engine, a change in the conduction of the voltage can be used to measure the status of the combustion.

References and Further Reading

• Hillier V.A.W. (1996). Hillier’s Fundamentals of Automotive Electronics. UK, Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes Ltd.
• Wade A. (2004). Motorcycle Fuel Injection Handbook. USA, Minnesota: MBI Publishing Company.
• Schwaller A.E. (2005). Total Automotive Technology. USA, New York: Thomas Delmar Learning.
• Knowles D, Erjavec J. (2005). TechOne: Basic Automotive Service and Maintenance. USA, New York: Thomas Delmar Learning.
• Schwaller A.E. (2005). Total Automotive Technology. USA, New York: Thomas Delmar Learning.
• https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-explains/what-is-ion-sensing-knock-detection-ph-explains/38892

This article was updated on 13^th February, 2020.