Abstract: A particulate matter detection device of the present invention includes a plate-like element base material, and a pair of measurement electrodes arranged in the element base material, each of the measurement electrodes is a combteeth-like electrode including a plurality of planarly arranged combteeth portions, and a comb spine portion which connects the plurality of combteeth portions of each of the measurement electrodes to one another at one end of each of the plurality of combteeth portions, the combteeth portions of the measurement electrodes are arranged to engage with each other with a space being left therebetween, and the comb spine portion of at least one of the measurement electrodes is covered with a comb spine covering portion made of a dielectric material.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided with an abnormality determination means for determining abnormality of the apparatus where two different combinations of two electrodes are selected from the three electrodes, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in one combination by the voltage-applying portion to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body by electrostatic coupling, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in another combination out of the at least two different combinations by the voltage-applying portion to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body by electrostatic coupling, and an abnormality of the apparatus is determined from the current values measured.

Abstract: The particulate matter detection device of the present invention is a particulate matter detection device 100 including an electrode portion 21 and detection means 23 for detecting an electrical characteristic of the electrode portion 21, whereby a particulate matter 36 contained in an exhaust gas 32 is detected on the basis of a change of the electrical characteristic due to the particulate matter 36 attached to the electrode portion 21. The particulate matter detection device i00 further includes removal means 25 and abnormality judgment means 26 for comparing an initial electrical characteristic in a use initial state of the device with the electrical characteristic measured in a state where the particulate matter 36 attached to the surface of the electrode portion 21 is removed by the removal means 25, to judge whether or not the particulate matter detection device i00 has an abnormality.

Abstract: A PM sensor is provided having high responsiveness and capable of long term detection. A PM sensor includes a sensor element that has particulate collection electrodes to which a particulate collection voltage for causing particulate matter contained in exhaust to adhere to a sensor element is applied, and measurement electrodes to which a measurement voltage for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor element is applied, in which, after a particulate collection voltage is applied to the particulate collection electrodes application of the particulate collection voltage is stopped in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, the measurement voltage is applied to the measurement electrodes and the electrical characteristic of the sensor element is measured.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device 100 includes a first electrode 1 whose one surface is covered with an inter-electrode dielectric material 4; a second electrode 2 disposed on the side of the one surface of the first electrode 1, to perform the discharge of electricity by a voltage applied between the first electrode 1 and the second electrode; and a pair of measurement electrodes 5, 15 disposed on the surface of the inter-electrode dielectric material 4 so as to face each other; characteristic measurement means 3 for measuring electric characteristics between the pair of measurement electrodes 5 and 15; and particulate matter amount calculation means 13 for obtaining the amount of the particulate matter 11 collected by the surface of the inter-electrode dielectric material 4, based on the change amount of the electric characteristics.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device of the present invention includes a plate-like element base material, and a pair of measurement electrodes arranged in the element base material, each of the measurement electrodes is a combteeth-like electrode including a plurality of planarly arranged combteeth portions, and a comb spine portion which connects the plurality of combteeth portions of each of the measurement electrodes to one another at one end of each of the plurality of combteeth portions, the combteeth portions of the measurement electrodes are arranged to engage with each other with a space being left therebetween, and the comb spine portion of at least one of the measurement electrodes is covered with a comb spine covering portion made of a dielectric material.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device of the present invention includes a plate-like element base material, and a pair of measurement electrodes arranged in the element base material, each of the measurement electrodes is a combteeth-like electrode including a plurality of planarly arranged combteeth portions, and a comb spine portion which connects the plurality of combteeth portions of each of the measurement electrodes to one another at one end of each of the plurality of combteeth portions, the combteeth portions of the measurement electrodes are arranged to engage with each other with a space being left therebetween, and the comb spine portion of at least one of the measurement electrodes is covered with a comb spine covering portion made of a dielectric material.

Abstract: Provided is a DPF failure detection device not only capable of a quick detection but also having less erroneous and a small power consumption. The DPF failure detection device, after starting applying a dust collecting voltage to a dust collecting electrode, applies a measuring voltage to a measuring electrode while the dust collection voltage is being applied, thereby measuring the capacitance of a sensor device. The DPF failure detection device also stops applying the dust collecting voltage to the dust collecting electrode in response to the fact that the measured value (CCOL) of this capacitance exceeds a completion criterion (CCOL—TH). Further, the DPF failure detection device applies the measuring voltage to the measuring electrode, thereby measuring the capacitance of the sensor device and obtaining a measured value (CPM), on the basis of which a DPF failure is determined.

Abstract: The apparatus 100 is provided with an abnormality determination means 32 for determining abnormality of the apparatus 100 where two different combinations of two electrodes are selected from the three electrodes 22a, 22b, and 22c, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in one combination by the voltage-applying portion 31 to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body 21a by electrostatic coupling, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in another combination out of the at least two different combinations by the voltage-applying portion 31 to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body 21a by electrostatic coupling, and an abnormality of the apparatus 100 is determined from the current values measured.

Abstract: The particulate matter detection device of the present invention is a particulate matter detection device 100 comprising an electrode portion 21 and detection means 23 for detecting an electrical characteristic of the electrode portion 21, whereby a particulate matter 36 contained in an exhaust gas 32 is detected on the basis of a change of the electrical characteristic due to the particulate matter 36 attached to the electrode portion 21. The particulate matter detection device 100 further comprises removal means 25 and abnormality judgment means 26 for comparing an initial electrical characteristic in a use initial state of the device with the electrical characteristic measured in a state where the particulate matter 36 attached to the surface of the electrode portion 21 is removed by the removal means 25, to judge whether or not the particulate matter detection device 100 has an abnormality.

Abstract: A PM sensor is provided having high responsiveness and capable of long term detection. A PM sensor 11 includes a sensor element 12 that has particulate collection electrodes 123A, 128A to which a particulate collection voltage for causing particulate matter contained in exhaust to adhere to a sensor element 12 is applied, and measurement electrodes 127A, 127B to which a measurement voltage for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor element 12 is applied, in which, after a particulate collection voltage is applied to the particulate collection electrodes 123A, 128A, application of the particulate collection voltage is stopped in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, the measurement voltage is applied to the measurement electrodes 127A, 127B, and the electrical characteristic of the sensor element 12 is measured.

Abstract: A particulate matter detection device 100 includes a first electrode 1 whose one surface is covered with an inter-electrode dielectric material 4; a second electrode 2 disposed on the side of the one surface of the first electrode 1, to perform the discharge of electricity by a voltage applied between the first electrode 1 and the second electrode; and a pair of measurement electrodes 5, 15 disposed on the surface of the inter-electrode dielectric material 4 so as to face each other; characteristic measurement means 3 for measuring electric characteristics between the pair of measurement electrodes 5 and 15; and particulate matter amount calculation means 13 for obtaining the amount of the particulate matter 11 collected by the surface of the inter-electrode dielectric material 4, based on the change amount of the electric characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a sensing device and method for direct measurement of a concentration of PM contained in exhaust gas and measurement of PM concentration in an exhaust pipe: a power supply unit (10); an electrode unit (11) fitted in the exhaust pipe and composed of a pair of parallel flat plates; and a sensing unit (12) for measuring electrical characteristics of the electrode unit (11) after the power supply unit (10) applies a predetermined voltage to the electrode unit (11) and PM contained in exhaust gas inside the exhaust pipe is deposited onto the electrode unit (11), and for sensing the concentration of the PM contained in the exhaust gas inside the exhaust pipe from the measured electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A vehicle component tamper detection system is provided capable of appropriately preventing tampering from occurring, and of facilitating and ensuring detection of such tampering when it occurs, while maintaining flexibility in layout and in manufacturing processes. The present invention omits wiring between an RFID 12 and an ECU 14 by employing a small radio frequency identification integrated circuit (RFID) to wirelessly transmit signals to a receiver 13. With this configuration, the present invention contributes to increased layout flexibility as well as a reduction in assembly steps and manufacturing costs. Furthermore, because the RFID 12 is small, the RFID 12 may be mixed in slurry and disposed at an inconspicuous portion of a detection target component 11. Subsequently, it is possible to hinder visual confirmation of the RFID 12, thereby making the tampering itself difficult.

Abstract: A catalyst coating 5 for decomposing ozone in the air is applied to an outer surface of cooling pipes 3 and radiating fins 4 of a radiator 2. A peel sensor 2 is provided on the catalyst coating 5 of the radiator 2 to detect a loss (remaining amount) of the catalyst coating 5. The position of detection of the peel sensor 2 is determined according to a temperature characteristic of the radiator 2, and a flow rate of the air passing through the radiator 2. The position of detection of the peel sensor 2 can be determined easily and appropriately, such that loss and deterioration of the catalyst coating 5 can be detected with high precision.

Abstract: An ozone purifier for a vehicle is configured of an ozone purification catalyst mounted on the vehicle; a first ozone concentration detection mechanism for detecting an ozone concentration in air before its passing the ozone purification catalyst; a second ozone concentration detection mechanism for detecting an ozone concentration in air after its passing the ozone purification catalyst; a deterioration detection mechanism for using output values of the first and second ozone concentration detection mechanisms and detecting deterioration of the ozone purification catalyst; and furthermore a mechanism for calibrating the output values of the first and second ozone concentration detection mechanisms, and when detecting the deterioration of the ozone purification catalyst, the purifier calibrates the output values of the first and second ozone concentration detection mechanisms.

Abstract: An ozone purifying apparatus for a vehicle having a radiator. Ozone purifying catalysts are spread on the surface of the radiator. The amount of adhered matter adhering to the ozone purifying catalysts is estimated and the operating state of the ozone purifying catalysts is diagnosed according to the estimated amount of adhered matter.

Abstract: A catalyst coating 5 for decomposing ozone in the air is applied to an outer surface of cooling pipes 3 and radiating fins 4 of a radiator 2. A peel sensor 2 is provided on the catalyst coating 5 of the radiator 2 to detect a loss (remaining amount) of the catalyst coating 5. The position of detection of the peel sensor 2 is determined according to a temperature characteristic of the radiator 2, and a flow rate of the air passing through the radiator 2. The position of detection of the peel sensor 2 can be determined easily and appropriately, such that loss and deterioration of the catalyst coating 5 can be detected with high precision.

Abstract: An ozone purifying apparatus for a vehicle having a radiator. Ozone purifying catalysts are spread on the surface of the radiator. The amount of adhered matter adhering to the ozone purifying catalysts is estimated and the operating state of the ozone purifying catalysts is diagnosed according to the estimated amount of adhered matter.

Abstract: In an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, there are provided, in this order from upstream, a three-way catalyst, an adsorbent-catalyst containing at least zeolite in its composition and capable of absorbing hydrocarbons, an electrically heated catalyst containing at least platinum in its composition, and a catalyst containing at least palladium in its composition. The electrically heated catalyst can effectively purify low boiling-point HC of paraffinic hydrocarbon which has been desorbed from the adsorbent-catalyst after about 20 seconds from the start of the engine. On the other hand, the catalyst can effectively purify high boiling-point HC of aromatic hydrocarbon which has been desorbed from the adsorbent-catalyst after about 80 seconds from the start of the engine. When the catalyst is an electrically heated catalyst, it is energized after the energization of the other electrically heated catalyst is ended and the supply of electric power can hence be minimized.