Denso Corporation

Toshihide Kumazaki

Katsuhide Akimoto

Takahito Masuko

Yushi Fukuda

Tomofumi Fujii

Shuuichi Nakano

A sensor element of an A/F sensor AS has a solid electrolyte layer, a first electrode arranged on one side of the solid electrolyte layer so as to be exposed to the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, and a second electrode arranged on the other side of the solid electrolyte layer so as to face an atmospheric air chamber. The sensor element generates a sensor output according to the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas. A microcomputer supplies oxygen to the first electrode side from the second electrode side via the solid electrolyte layer by applying a predetermined voltage between the pair of electrodes of the sensor element. Moreover, the microcomputer determines a crack abnormality of the solid electrolyte layer based on electric current between the pair of electrodes which is generated with start of the oxygen supply.

Growing community of inventors

Kariya, Japan

Toshihide Kumazaki