The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 11, 2017
Filed:
Sep. 08, 2010
Hiroki Nishijima, Suntou-gun, JP;
Hiroki Nishijima, Suntou-gun, JP;
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Toyota-shi, JP;
Abstract
An object of the present invention is to reliably detect clogging in a cover even during a period corresponding to a dead zone of a detection apparatus. A PM sensor includes an element section, an element temperature detection section, a heater, and an element cover. An ECU detects clogging in the element cover based on a difference between an element temperature and an exhaust temperature when the exhaust temperature rises. Furthermore, the ECU detects clogging in the element cover based on temperature rising characteristics of the element section observed when the element section is heated by the heater. Thus, even during the period corresponding to the dead zone of the PM sensor, clogging in the element cover can be reliably detected, thus improving the reliability of the sensor.