Sensor arrangement for rapid cylinder detection in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine

PCT No. PCT/DE94/00298 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 15, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 15, 1994 PCT Filed Mar. 18, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO94/23192 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 13, 1994.A sensor arrangement for cylinder detection in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is disclosed, having a crankshaft sensor with an increment disc with reference mark and a camshaft sensor with long and short segments as well as short and long intermediate spaces between the segments. By means of common evaluation of the pulse sequences supplied by the two sensors, the length of the high phases and low phases can be determined. Since the reference mark is also taken into account during the evaluation, the number of different segment lengths on the camshaft sensor disc can be reduced and a rapid and unambiguous cylinder detection can be achieved. The evaluation of the crankshaft signal and camshaft signal permits a reliable control of the internal combustion engine. In the event of failure of the crankshaft sensor, emergency running of the internal combustion engine can be realized solely with the aid of the camshaft sensor.