How do O2 sensors force an Air/Fuel ratio?
It's what Closed Loop does, it's what O2 sensors are for.
ecm has predictive maths tables that help it make very close guesses as to how much fuel to add
for how much air has been measured, split second by split second.
These guesses are never quite as correct as the automaker or the environmentalists would prefer, so,
once the engine is warm enough, O2 sensors refine those guesses by reacting to pre-cat exhaust gas composition.
Even O2 sensors are not quite perfect, but if the goal is between 14.667 and 14.68,
O2 sensor readings help refine the guesses so that the credibly repeatable goal at nearly every operating condition
when the driver is using the go-pedal normally is between 14.6 & 14.8.
If the vehicle is decelerating / coasting while the driver is 'lifting', the Air/Fuel ratio will likely be 14.7-14.8.
If the vehicle is accelerating 'normally', 14.6-14.7.
Overarching goals are to keep the catalytic converters alive as long as possible (why oil has less zinc today),
and to reduce NOx as much as possible, by keeping Air/Fuel ratios very close to 14.7 whenever reasonably possible.