Throttle position sensor

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Throttle body showing throttle position sensor on the right

A throttle position sensor (TPS) is a sensor used to monitor the throttle position of a car. The sensor is usually located on
the butterflyspindle/shaft so that it can directly monitor the position of the throttle. More advanced forms of the sensor are
also used, for example an extra closed throttle position sensor (CTPS) may be employed to indicate that the throttle is
completely closed. Some engine control units(ECUs) also control the throttle position electronic throttle control (ETC) or
"drive by wire" systems and if that is done the position sensor is used in a feedback loop to enable that control.[1]
Related to the TPS are accelerator pedal sensors, which often include a wide open throttle (WOT) sensor. The accelerator
pedal sensors are used in electronic throttle control (ETC) or "drive by wire" systems, and the most common use of a wide
open throttle sensor is for thekick-down function on automatic transmissions.
Modern day sensors are non contact type. These modern non contact TPS include Hall effect sensors, Inductive
sensors,magnetoresistive and others. In the potentiometric type sensors, a multi-finger metal brush/rake is in contact with a
resistive strip,[2] while the butterfly valve is turned from the lower mechanical stop (minimum air position) to WOT, there is a
change in the resistance and this change in resistance is given as the input to the ECU.
Non contact type TPS work on the principle of Hall effect or Inductive sensors, or magnetoresistive technologies, wherein
generally the magnet or inductive loop is the dynamic part which is mounted on the butterfly valve throttle spindle/shaft gear
and the sensor & signal processing circuit board is mounted within the ETC gear box cover and is stationary. When the
magnet/inductive loop mounted on the spindle which is rotated from the lower mechanical stop to WOT, there is a change in
the magnetic field for the sensor. The change in the magnetic field is sensed by the sensor and the voltage generated is
given as the input to the ECU. Normally a two pole rare earth magnet is used for the TPS due to their high Curie
temperatures required in the under-hood vehicle environment. The magnet may be of diametrical type, ring type, rectangular
or segment type. The magnet is defined to have a certain magnetic field that does not vary significantly with time or
temperature. In case of failure of the TPS operation the CHECK ENGINE light remains illuminated even if there is no
problem or error in the ECU. It cannot be corrected by clearing ECU errors by running diagnostic software. In order to rectify
the malfunction the TPS needs to be replaced by a new one.

See also[edit]

Manufactures

List of sensors

Notes[edit]
1.

Jump up^ McKay, D., Nichols, G., and Schreurs, B., "Delphi Electronic Throttle Control
Systems for Model Year 2000;Driver Features, System Security, and OEM Benefits. ETC
for the Mass Market," SAE Technical Paper 2000-01-0556,
2000 http://www.carprogrammer.com/Z28/PCM/FAQ/Delphi_Drive_by_wire_2000-010556.pdf

2.

Jump up^ Garrick, R.D., Sensitivity of Contact Electronic Throttle Control Sensor to
Control System Variation, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Technical Paper, 200601-0763, April 2006.http://delphi.com/pdf/techpapers/2006-01-0763.pdf

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Automotive engine
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Sensors

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This page was last modified on 26 June 2014, at 18:34.

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