Schaeffler has started series production of a NOx sensor for gasoline vehicles in Europe. The company says the sensor helps automakers comply with upcoming emissions standards such as EURO 7. It is based on the NOx sensor Schaeffler already builds for diesel engines.
The sensor continuously measures the nitrogen oxide a vehicle actually emits. It outputs an electronic signal that correlates with NOx concentration in the exhaust gas, plus a lambda signal that indicates oxygen content. According to Schaeffler, the two signals together allow a precise assessment of exhaust gas composition and reliable emissions monitoring over extended periods.
The same signal can also drive exhaust after-treatment control, so the system responds to changes as they happen. Depending on the system architecture, Schaeffler says this can reduce the required catalytic converter size and its precious metal content. It can also eliminate the need for additional lambda sensors. Schaeffler says the sensor is designed for real-world driving conditions and for operation across the vehicle's entire life cycle.
For engineers who validate and monitor emissions, the relevant detail is that the sensor reports measured NOx continuously, in the exhaust line, rather than at discrete test points. "Our NOx sensors provide the necessary transparency around exhaust lines," said Leif Reinhold, Head of the Powertrain Solutions Business Division at Schaeffler.
EURO 7 raises the stakes for that kind of data. Schaeffler notes that the standard covers limit values during testing, real-world emissions while driving, the durability of vehicle systems, and their performance over the vehicle's life cycle. That requires the engine and exhaust after-treatment systems to work together precisely across a wide range of operating conditions.
Matthias Zink, CEO Powertrain & Chassis at Schaeffler AG, called sensor technology "a strategic growth opportunity" and said the company is systematically expanding its capabilities in the area. Schaeffler describes the gasoline sensor as the move from its "leading" diesel variant to a new application.
