Apparatus and method for sensing defects in temperature sensors

A method of sensing a defect of a temperature sensor, comprising:

• detecting a temperature value of the temperature sensor at each unit time while heating temperature cools and falls to a normal temperature when a heating operation is stopped;
• and
• comparing a lowest temperature value among the detected temperature values with a reference temperature to sense a change of a specific resistance of the temperature sensor;
• and
• sensing a defect state of the temperature sensor when the lowest temperature value deviates from the reference temperature,
• wherein sensing a defect state of the temperature sensor includes sensing a break in a resistance of the temperature sensor in response to the lowest temperature value among the detected temperature values being less than the reference temperature.

A method of sensing a defect of a temperature sensor, comprising:

• detecting a temperature value of the temperature sensor at each unit time while heating temperature cools and falls to a normal temperature when a heating operation is stopped;
• and
• comparing a lowest temperature value among the detected temperature values with a reference temperature to sense a change of a specific resistance of the temperature sensor;
• and
• sensing a defect state of the temperature sensor when the lowest temperature value deviates from the reference temperature,
• wherein sensing a defect state of the temperature sensor includes sensing a short in a resistance of the temperature sensor in response to the lowest temperature value among the detected temperature values being greater than the reference temperature.

A method of sensing a defect of a temperature sensor, comprising:

• storing a reference temperature value corresponding to an expected output value from the temperature sensor at a reference temperature;
• detecting a temperature value output by the temperature sensor when an actual temperature of the temperature sensor is the reference temperature;
• comparing the detected temperature value with the reference temperature value;
• and
• generating an alarm indicating that the temperature sensor is defective, in response to a result of the comparison between the reference temperature value and the detected temperature value, wherein detecting a temperature value output by the temperature sensor when an actual temperature of the temperature sensor is the reference temperature, comprises:
• (a) detecting a trial temperature value of the temperature sensor;
• (b) checking for expiration of a first time interval, and repeating step (a) when the first time interval expires;
• (c) checking for expiration of a second time interval, and repeating steps (a) and (b) until the second time interval expires;
• and
• (d) determining the temperature value of the temperature sensor when the temperature of the temperature sensor is the reference temperature by determining the lowest detected trial temperature value during the second time interval.