Gas sensor control device

A gas sensor control device comprising:

• at least one processor configured:
• to implement a normal control to apply a first voltage to a first electrode in a measurement gas chamber and a second electrode in a reference gas chamber in order to remove oxygen in gas to be detected in the measurement gas chamber;
• to apply a detection voltage between a third electrode in the measurement gas chamber and a fourth electrode in the reference gas chamber to cause a current between the third electrode and the fourth electrode and to detect, based on the current, a concentration of a specific gas component contained in the gas to be detected from which the oxygen is removed by the normal control;
• to implement, alternatively to the normal control, a reduction control to apply a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode in order to cause a reduction reaction in the third electrode that is oxidized;
• and
• to determine whether implementation of the reduction control is necessary and to prohibit implementation of the reduction control on determination that implementation of the reduction control is not necessary.

A method implemented by at least one processor, comprising:

• implementing a normal control to apply a first voltage to a first electrode in a measurement gas chamber and a second electrode in a reference gas chamber in order to remove oxygen in gas to be detected in the measurement gas chamber;
• applying a detection voltage between a third electrode in the measurement gas chamber and a fourth electrode in the reference gas chamber to cause a current between the third electrode and the fourth electrode and to detect, based on the current, a concentration of a specific gas component contained in the gas to be detected from which the oxygen is removed by the normal control;
• implementing, alternatively to the normal control, a reduction control to apply a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode in order to cause a reduction reaction in the third electrode that is oxidized;
• and
• determining whether implementation of the reduction control is necessary and to prohibit implementation of the reduction control on determination that implementation of the reduction control is not necessary.