Abstract: A method for evaluating the functionality of a ceramic sensor for detecting soot, the sensor including two measurement electrodes exposable to an exhaust and spaced apart from one another, and an electrical resistance heating element. The method includes: activating the resistance heating element to heat up the sensor and to burn soot off the two measurement electrodes; then deactivating the resistance heating element; then waiting for a first predetermined time period and/or waiting until a signal that is received from the sensor and represents the sensor temperature reaches a first predefined value; then measuring a first variable representing the electrical resistance between the measurement electrodes; then evaluating the functionality of the sensor based on the first variable representing the electrical resistance between the measurement electrodes.

Abstract: A resistive particle sensor is described for detecting soot in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, including a sensor element having two strip conductors, which extend spaced apart in meanders in parallel to one another in an area of the sensor element that may be exposed to the exhaust gas, and a resistance strip conductor, the two strip conductors each being capacitively connected via capacitor elements to the resistance strip conductor.

Abstract: A method for operating an exhaust gas sensor in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The exhaust gas sensor includes a ceramic sensor element having at least one measuring electrode and a heating device. A binary dewpoint end signal is calculated, based on data which relate to the internal combustion engine and the exhaust gas sensor, which indicates whether or not the occurrence of liquid water in the exhaust system is still to be expected. Whenever the vehicle is turned off and the dewpoint end signal simultaneously has the value which signals that the occurrence of liquid water in the exhaust system is still to be expected, the sensor element is heated by its heating device to a temperature for a certain period of time in such a way that the sensor element dries.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the functionality of a ceramic sensor for detecting soot, the sensor including two measurement electrodes exposable to an exhaust and spaced apart from one another, and an electrical resistance heating element. The method includes: activating the resistance heating element to heat up the sensor and to burn soot off the two measurement electrodes; then deactivating the resistance heating element; then waiting for a first predetermined time period and/or waiting until a signal that is received from the sensor and represents the sensor temperature reaches a first predefined value; then measuring a first variable representing the electrical resistance between the measurement electrodes; then evaluating the functionality of the sensor based on the first variable representing the electrical resistance between the measurement electrodes.

Abstract: A resistive particle sensor is described for detecting soot in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, including a sensor element having two strip conductors, which extend spaced apart in meanders in parallel to one another in an area of the sensor element that may be exposed to the exhaust gas, and a resistance strip conductor, the two strip conductors each being capacitively connected via capacitor elements to the resistance strip conductor.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the function of a sensor for detecting particles, in particular soot particles, the sensor including at least two measuring electrodes and a substrate on which the measuring electrodes are situated. The method includes the following: carrying out a first current-voltage measurement for ascertaining a first measured variable; carrying out a second current-voltage measurement for ascertaining a second measured variable, one measuring electrode of the measuring electrodes being applied to another electrical potential; carrying out a third current-voltage measurement for ascertaining a third measured variable; an configured forming a correction value for correcting the second measured variable with the aid of the first measured variable and the third measured variable.

Abstract: A method for checking the function of a sensor for detecting soot is provided, the sensor including at least two measuring electrodes situated on a substrate made of an electrically insulating material, and a heating element, the method including: carrying out a first current-voltage measurement at a first temperature to ascertain a first measured variable, carrying out a second current-voltage measurement at a second temperature to ascertain a second measured variable, and forming a difference between the first measured variable and the second measured variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particle sensor (20) for determining a particle content in a gas flow, wherein the particle sensor (20) has, on the surface thereof, at least two interlocking interdigital IDE electrodes (23) and a heating element (26), separated from the IDE electrodes (23) by an insulating layer (21), by means of which heating element the particle sensor (20) can be heated in a regeneration phase and a soot load on the particle sensor can thus be removed, and by means of which particle sensor, in a diagnostic phase during the regeneration phase, a current is measured by intermittently applying a measurement voltage to the IDE electrodes (23) and, based on the chronological progression and size thereof, a functional inspection of the particle sensor (20) is carried out.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the function of a sensor for detecting particles, in particular soot particles, the sensor including at least two measuring electrodes and a substrate on which the measuring electrodes are situated. The method includes the following: carrying out a first current-voltage measurement for ascertaining a first measured variable; carrying out a second current-voltage measurement for ascertaining a second measured variable, one measuring electrode of the measuring electrodes being applied to another electrical potential; carrying out a third current-voltage measurement for ascertaining a third measured variable; an configured forming a correction value for correcting the second measured variable with the aid of the first measured variable and the third measured variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particle sensor (20) for determining a particle content in a gas flow, wherein the particle sensor (20) has, on the surface thereof, at least two interlocking interdigital IDE electrodes (23) and a heating element (26), separated from the IDE electrodes (23) by an insulating layer (21), by means of which heating element the particle sensor (20) can be heated in a regeneration phase and a soot load on the particle sensor can thus be removed, and by means of which particle sensor, in a diagnostic phase during the regeneration phase, a current is measured by intermittently applying a measurement voltage to the IDE electrodes (23) and, based on the chronological progression and size thereof, a functional inspection of the particle sensor (20) is carried out.

Abstract: A method for checking the function of a sensor for detecting soot is provided, the sensor including at least two measuring electrodes situated on a substrate made of an electrically insulating material, and a heating element, the method including: carrying out a first current-voltage measurement at a first temperature to ascertain a first measured variable, carrying out a second current-voltage measurement at a second temperature to ascertain a second measured variable, and forming a difference between the first measured variable and the second measured variable.

Abstract: A method is described for diagnosing an exhaust gas sensor which is situated in the exhaust gas area of an internal combustion engine for the purpose of detecting at least one exhaust gas component, which is heated with the aid of a sensor heater and whose temperature is detected. A device for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A method for operating a particle sensor (10). The particle sensor (10) has at least two inter-digital electrodes (12, 13) which engage one in the other and to which a sensor voltage U(IDE) (21) is applied in order to determine loading of the particle sensor (10) with soot particles (16). A sensor current I(IDE) (31) across the electrodes (12, 13) is measured and evaluated. In order to remove the loading with soot, a heating element (14) heats the particle sensor (10) in a regeneration phase. The method characterized in that the sensor current I(IDE) (31) is determined, and a shunt diagnosis of the particle sensor (10) is carried out in accordance with the measured sensor current I(IDE) (31).

Abstract: A method is described for diagnosing an exhaust gas sensor which is situated in the exhaust gas area of an internal combustion engine for the purpose of detecting at least one exhaust gas component, which is heated with the aid of a sensor heater and whose temperature is detected. A device for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A method for operating a particle sensor (10). The particle sensor (10) has at least two inter-digital electrodes (12, 13) which engage one in the other and to which a sensor voltage U(IDE) (21) is applied in order to determine loading of the particle sensor (10) with soot particles (16). A sensor current I(IDE) (31) across the electrodes (12, 13) is measured and evaluated. In order to remove the loading with soot, a heating element (14) heats the particle sensor (10) in a regeneration phase. The method characterized in that the sensor current I(IDE) (31) is determined, and a shunt diagnosis of the particle sensor (10) is carried out in accordance with the measured sensor current I(IDE) (31).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for operating a particle sensor in the exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine, the particle sensor comprising an interdigital electrode for determining the particles contained in the exhaust gas and a heater for regenerating said particle sensor and an engine management system being associated with the internal combustion engine. Provision is thereby made for a probe control unit to be connected to said particle sensor, for the probe control unit to be disposed in a separate assembly between said particle sensor and the engine management system and for said probe control unit to be connected to said engine management system via a digital bus or an analog interface. The invention relates further to a corresponding method. Device and method allow for the autonomous operation of a particle sensor without the engine management system having to be configured for the operation of said particle sensor.

Abstract: A device for electrically connecting a sensor element, which is accommodated in an engine add-on component, to evaluation electronics. The engine add-on component and the evaluation electronics are electrically connected to one another via contacting lines. The evaluation electronics is accommodated in a swiveling part of a hybrid holder which is movable relative to a part of the hybrid holder which is attached to the engine add-on component.

Abstract: In a method for determining the reset time in a pressure sensor that detects the pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and emits a corresponding pressure signal, with the pressure curve in the combustion chamber having at least one high-pressure region the reset time is determined as a function of at least one pressure value detected in the high-pressure phase, so that it is possible, within the sensor, to determine a favorable time at which to reset the drift, based on the pressure range In the method according to the invention, information about the auxiliary rotation speed is determined based on the pressure curve of the compression phase and is then used to generate the reset time, the method entails only slight circuitry-related expense and can therefore be implemented even in an ASIC without complex signal processing, and it functions in almost all known engine operating states.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive component, having a coil (3) disposed in an injection molded housing (2) and having conductor rails (4), also mounted in the housing (2), to each of which the ends of the coil wires are contacted in the form of connection wires (7). Each of the connection wires (7) between the coil (3) and the respective conductor rail (4) forms one composite structure, comprising windings and twists, with a film (8) located between and/or outside them. The injection molding compound of the housing (2) can be applied directly to these composite structures. Preferably, the composite structure comprises at least two windings, which are twisted together and are disposed in the direction of the course of the connection wires (7).