| 摘要 |
A sensor element of an A/F sensor is constructed to laminate and integrate a solid electrolyte and a heater. The A/F sensor outputs a linear A/F detection signal proportional to the oxygen concentration in exhaust gases, when voltage is applied. An ECU controls the heater through heater control circuit to keep the sensor element at a predetermined activation temperature. The ECU detects an element resistance on the basis of the voltage applied to the sensor element and sensor current caused by the applied voltage, and converts the element resistance to an element temperature. During the temperature increasing of the A/F sensor, the current supply to the heater is duty-controlled according to the element temperature changing rate (the temperature increasing rate of the sensor element). Accordingly, the temperature increasing characteristics of the sensor is satisfactorily maintained, and disadvantages such as an element cracking are prevented.
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