Powertrain Systems

Delphi Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensors provide stoichiometric measurement of exhaust gases in gasoline and alternative fuel engine applications to help manufacturers meet current and future exhaust emissions standards by providing more accurate engine control and better exhaust system diagnostics. The Mini-Switching Sensors are based on Delphi's proven Switching Oxygen Sensor technology, but feature significantly smaller package sizes. They also include an alumina/zirconia-based element structure with planar geometry and isolated grounds.

Delphi Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensors, like Delphi's conventional Switching Oxygen Sensor, feature planar element technology for fast light-off and low cost, and have a pumped air reference feature to prevent air reference contamination. Delphi's Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensors, however, offer a dramatic reduction in size and weight—up to 50 percent smaller size and only about a third of the weight.

Delphi Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensors can be used in an exhaust system in either an engine-out or in a post-converter location.

Benefits

• Significantly reduced size for packaging constrained gasoline engine applications (e.g. motorcycles) that require closed-loop control.
• Enables the use of gasoline-ethanol blended fuels (e.g. zero-turn commercial lawn mowers).
• 12 mm sensor thread enables easier installation on small exhaust pipes.
• A lower shield has a shorter insertion depth into the exhaust pipe and a smaller diameter, which reduces exhaust restriction especially in small diameter pipes.
• Fast light-off time with a low-wattage heater that can help reduce system costs and help reduce cold-start emissions.
• Pumped air reference prevents air reference contamination from various sources, including: grommet, exhaust and external sources.
• Delphi's industry-leading poison-resistant coating helps optimize sensor durability.
• While shorter than our conventional Switching Oxygen Sensor, Delphi Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensors maintain a high-temperature capability enabling flexibility for location of the sensor and consistent operation across a wide range of temperatures. Their mounting location flexibility and high temperature tolerance contribute to improved sensor performance, reliability and durability.
• Sensor self-heating allows the sensor to be mounted further downstream preventing sensor biasing due to close proximity to the exhaust ports.
• With self-heating, the sensor remains active under all conditions, including extended idles.
• Low power consumption helps minimize the vehicle's electrical energy requirements.
• Robust construction resists thermal shock without cracking.

Delphi's Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensors offer significant size reduction to enable improved packaging for small gasoline engine applications.

Specifications 

Typical Applications

Delphi offers a Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensor for gasoline engine programs, such as motorcycles which will require closed-loop sensors to help meet anticipated new exhaust emissions regulations. The sensor can also be used in engine programs for commercial products such as lawn mowers and power generators, and for "power sports" products such as personal ATVs, where the sensor enables the use of gasoline-ethanol blended fuels.

Availability

Engineering samples of the Delphi Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensor are now available as part of the Delphi Multec^® Electronic Fuel Injection engine management system for small engines. Production is anticipated to commence in 2009. Contact Delphi for more information.

Performance Advantages

The smaller size and weight of the Delphi Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensors allow significant flexibility in small engine programs. They offer cost and performance advantages versus conventional conical sensor technology including, faster light-off time and a low wattage heater. They can also help achieve lower cold-start emissions compared with conical sensor designs.

Compared to other switching oxygen sensors, Delphi Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensors (and Delphi's conventional Switching Oxygen Sensors) offer a pumped air reference feature and an isolated ground. They also feature waterproofing, a high-temperature internal seal, which helps provide robust reliability, and Delphi's industry-leading poison-resistant coatings.

The Mini-Switching Oxygen Sensors provide another example of Delphi's many innovative engine management system technologies that offer reliable solutions to complex challenges and can help manufacturers develop products that deliver outstanding performance and excellent value.

The Delphi Advantage

Delphi has one of the industry's most complete portfolios of sensors and a thorough understanding of the entire engine management system. Delphi offers global manufacturing capabilities for sensors and an in-depth knowledge of regional market requirements. Delphi has more than 30 years' experience and has produced more than 275 million exhaust sensors. Delphi can provide manufacturers with the necessary support and high-quality, high-value products tailored to specific customer requirements.