Device and method for reducing the contamination of a sensor

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Brueckner, Joerg, Foerstner, Dirk, Stockmann, Dirk, Winbermuehle, Joerg, Illian, Matthias
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 03.02.2009
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Summary: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.