Patent ID: 8382884

Claim:
A particulate matter detection device provided in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine, including a sensor element to which particulate matter contained in exhaust adheres, and detecting a concentration of particulate matter in exhaust based on an electrical characteristic of the sensor element, wherein the sensor element includes a first electrode unit to which a particulate collection voltage for causing particulate matter contained in exhaust to adhere to the sensor element is applied, and a second electrode unit to which a measurement voltage for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor element is applied, and wherein the particulate matter detection device comprises: a voltage application start means for starting application of particulate collection voltage to the first electrode unit; a first measurement means for measuring the electrical characteristic of the sensor element by applying measurement voltage to the second electrode unit, after the application of the particulate collection voltage has started; a voltage application stop means for stopping application of particulate collection voltage to the first electrode unit in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied; a second measurement means for measuring the electrical characteristic of the sensor element by applying measurement voltage to the second electrode unit, after stopping application of the particulate collection voltage; and a concentration detection means for detecting a concentration of particulate matter in the exhaust based on a measurement value of the second measurement means.