Basic Technology Series

"Sensor Fundamentals"
2nd Session: Knock Sensor
In this session, the knock sensor will be explained.

1 OUTLINE
The knock sensor is mounted on the engine block and detects engine knocking.
The engine ECU of the vehicle uses the signal from this sensor to correct the ignition timing.

2 CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION

There are two knock sensor types: a resonance knock sensor and a flat (non-resonance) knock sensor.

2-1

Resonance Knock Sensor

When vibration is received from the cylinder block, pressure is added to the piezoceramic plate as the
diaphram of the piezoceramic plate bends around the fulcrum of the cylinder installation point, generating
voltage. When the diaphragm resonates at the frequency specific to knocking, a voltage is output by the
knock sensor, the engine ECU determines that there is knocking.

Construction

External View

Bends due to the vibration

of the cylinder block.
Cylinder
Block Side

Piezoceramic
Plate

Cylinder
Block
Diaphragm

2-2

Piezoceramic
Plate

Diaphragm

Flat (Non-Resonance) Knock Sensor

When vibration is received from the cylinder block, pressure is added to the piezoceramic plate installed
between the base and the weight, generating voltage from the delay in weight movement due to intertial
force. Since this output voltage is almost constant across all frequency bands, the engine ECU detects a more
accurate knocking by detecting the specific frequency at which knocking may occur.
In recent years, this flat (non-resonance) knock sensor has been the most commonly used.

Construction
Weight

Weight

Piezoceramic
Plate

Piezoceramic Plate

Pressurized
by Cylinder
Block Vibration.
Base

Cylinder Block Side

13

External View

SERVICE TECH Vol.486 06-10

Base

Cylinder
Block