Japanese Mitsubishi Camshaft Sensor

Description

The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) is an electronic component used in an internal combustion engine to monitor the rotational speed (RPM) and position of the camshaft. The Engine Control Module (ECM) uses this information for spark timing, fuel injector control, and other engine parameters.

The sensor is most commonly located near the primary pulley, flywheel, transmission bell housing, engine cylinder block, or the camshaft itself.

Four different types of CMP are currently in use:

• Inductive
• Hall effect
• Magnetoresistive
• Optical

The inductive sensor has the simplest design and is the most commonly used type of sensor. It is a passive device comprised of a body, collar, magnet, and coil, and features an O-ring and collar swaging to shield the coil from pollutants.

Both the Hall effect sensor and magnetoresistive sensor are small-sized sensors that integrate the detection element and processing circuit on a single chip. These sensor types offer the added ability to recognize static (non-varying) magnetic fields.

Of the four sensor types, the optical sensor delivers the most accurate edge detection.

The two most commonly used CMP sensor types, the inductive sensor and the Hall effect sensor, are discussed in the following paragraphs.