Evaluation of a Novel Low-Cost, Low-Power Narrow-Band Oxygen Sensor on a 2014 Honda Grom 125E (125 cc) Motorcycle Using a Chassis Dynamometer (3 of 3) 2014-32-0069

Global concerns over pollution have led to increasingly strict emissions legislation targeting small engines, which currently pollute at a much greater level than modern multi-cylinder automotive engines. Closed-loop control may be required to meet many future legislation requirements; however, such systems can be impractical due to high added component costs. A necessary component for closed-loop engine control is an oxygen sensor. Existing automotive oxygen sensors are too large, require too much power, and are far too expensive to be suitable for the vast majority of the global small engine applications; therefore, some manufacturers have developed smaller and/or unheated versions based on their existing sensors to meet this emerging need. The ability to miniaturize resistive based sensors well below that of traditional Nernst (zirconia based) oxygen sensors affords the opportunity to meet future emissions standards with less of an impact on cost.

The performance of a novel low-cost, low-power, narrow-band resistive-based oxygen sensor was compared with the stock oxygen sensor and several other commercially available oxygen sensors on a 2014 Honda Grom 125E motorcycle. Tests were performed at various engine speeds under no-load as well as under various load conditions on a chassis dynamometer. Results indicate this resistive-based sensor technology is well suited for such high RPM motorcycle applications, with a faster light-off time, a stronger signal, and faster sensor switching speeds than the current commercial sensors.