Evaluation and control unit for a gas sensor

US12429453B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE
• MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES NV · BE

Inventors

• Claudius Bevot · Stuttgart, DE
• Bernhard Ledermann · Weil der Stadt, DE
• Stefan Kremer · Leonberg, DE
• Volodymyr Sotnikov · Tessenderlo, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 5, 2021
• Grant date: Sep 30, 2025
• Expiry date: Jun 28, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R31/52
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An evaluation and control unit (100) for a broadband lambda probe (200) and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The evaluation and control unit (100) comprises pins (RE, IPE, APE, MES) connectable to electrical wires (201, 202, 203, 204) of electrochemical cells (210, 211) of the broadband lambda probe (200), a controller (103), a ASIC reference potential source (102), wherein the ASIC reference potential source (102) is operable by means of the controller (103), a switch assembly (104) connected to each of the pins (RE, I PE, APE, MES), wherein the switch assembly (104) comprises a first transistor (TWire) and a second transistor (TECU), wherein the switch reference potential source (105) is connected to a gate side of the first and second transistors (TWire, TECU), wherein the controller (103) is configured to vary the switch reference potential (VSW) applied to the gate side of the first and second transistors (TWire, TECU), wherein the switch assembly (104) is configured to allow a limiting current flowing to the drain side of the first transistor (TWire) from the ASIC reference potential if the potential at the gate side of the first and second transistors (TWire, T…