Patent · US Expired

Device and method for reducing the contamination of a sensor

US7487034B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by

5References

13Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

Joerg Brueckner · Gerlingen, DE
Dirk Foerstner · Stuttgart, DE
Dirk Stockmann · Asperg, DE
Joerg Winbermuehle · Leonberg, DE
Matthias Illian · Gerlingen, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Feb 1, 2005
Grant date	Feb 3, 2009
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 27, 2025

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY02T10/40
WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

With devices and methods for reducing the contamination of a sensor, a sensor or sensor element—preferably a hot film air-mass meter—is deactivated when a software function integrated in the electronic control unit detects a possible contamination or a media carry-in. The sensor is deactivated using a high-side switch in the voltage supply or a low-side switch in the ground connection, wherein the media carry-in detection and the switch control are carried out by the control unit or an evaluation unit in the sensor. After the sensor is deactivated, a substitute signal is optionally generated that replaces the missing output signal of the sensor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.