METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INSPECTING AN OXYGEN SENSOR
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for detecting a malfunction of an oxygen sensor in the exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine having several cylinders. The cylinders are operated at the same air-fuel ratio and the resultant first output signal of the oxygen sensor is monitored. The cylinders are operated at varying air-fuel ratios and the resultant second output signal of the oxygen sensor is monitored. The first and second output signals are compared to determine whether the oxygen sensor has malfunctioned.
16 Citations
30 Claims
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1. -13. (canceled)
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14. A method for detecting a malfunction of an oxygen sensor in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders comprising:
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(a) operating the internal combustion engine such that each cylinder is provided with an equivalent air-fuel ratio; (b) monitoring the oxygen sensor to obtain a first output signal; (c) operating the internal combustion engine such that one of the plurality of cylinders is provided with a higher air-fuel ratio than a remainder of the plurality of cylinders; (d) monitoring the oxygen sensor to obtain a second output signal; (e) determining a sensor malfunction based on a comparison of the first and second output signals. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A device for detecting a malfunction of an oxygen sensor in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders comprising an electronic control unit configured to:
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(a) operate the internal combustion engine such that each cylinder is provided with an equivalent air-fuel ratio; (b) monitor the oxygen sensor to obtain a first output signal; (c) operate the internal combustion engine such that one of the plurality of cylinders is provided with a higher air-fuel ratio than a remainder of the plurality of cylinders; (d) monitor the oxygen sensor to obtain a second output signal; (e) determine a sensor malfunction based on a comparison of the first and second output signals. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification