US20130340415A1

US20130340415A1 - Particulate matter processing apparatus (as amended)

Info

Publication number: US20130340415A1
Application number: US13/637,098
Authority: US
Inventors: Shinichi Mitani; Hiroshi Nomura; Eiji Murase
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
Priority date: 2011-03-16
Filing date: 2011-03-16
Publication date: 2013-12-26
Also published as: WO2012124088A1; EP2687688A1; JPWO2012124088A1; CN103403310A

Abstract

An excessively large electric current is suppressed from flowing to an electrode. A particulate matter processing apparatus in which a processing part with an electrode installed therein is arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine, wherein particulate matter is caused to aggregate by generating a potential difference between the electrode and the processing part, is provided with a power supply that is connected to the electrode and applies a voltage thereto, a current detection device that detects an electric current which passes through the electrode, an air fuel ratio detection device that detects or estimates an air fuel ratio of an exhaust gas which flows through the exhaust passage, and a voltage control device that makes the voltage applied to the electrode from the power supply smaller in cases where the air fuel ratio detected by the air fuel ratio detection device is a rich air fuel ratio, than in cases where it is a stoichiometric air fuel ratio or a lean air fuel ratio.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a particulate matter processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been known a technique in which a discharge electrode is arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine, and a corona discharge is caused to occur from the discharge electrode, whereby particulate matter (hereinafter also referred to as PM) is charged and condensed or aggregated (see, for example, a first patent document). By the condensation or aggregation of the particulate matter, the number of particles in the particulate matter can be decreased. Moreover, the sizes of particles in the particulate matter become large, so when a filter is arranged at a downstream side, it becomes easy to trap the particulate matter with the filter.
However, no consideration has been given to the fact that electricity flows to the electrode through unburnt fuel such as HC, CO, etc., contained in an exhaust gas. Then, when a lot of unburnt fuel is contained in the exhaust gas, an electric current passing through the electrode may become large, thus giving rise to a fear that a power supply, the electrode, or other circuits may be deteriorated or failed. In addition, if the apparatus is constructed so as to withstand a large electric current, it will result in an increase in the cost of production. Moreover, when the electric current increases, electric power consumption will become large, so there will also be a fear that fuel economy may get worse.

PRIOR ART REFERENCES

Patent Documents

First Patent Document: Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2006-194116

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the problems as referred to above, and has for its object to suppress an excessively large electric current from passing to an electrode.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a particulate matter processing apparatus according to the present invention in which a processing part with an electrode installed therein is arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine, wherein particulate matter is caused to aggregate by generating a potential difference between the electrode and the processing part, is provided with:
a power supply that is connected to said electrode and applies a voltage thereto;
a current detection device that detects an electric current which passes through said electrode;
an air fuel ratio detection device that detects or estimates an air fuel ratio of an exhaust gas which flows through said exhaust passage; and
a voltage control device that makes the voltage applied to said electrode from said power supply smaller in cases where the air fuel ratio detected or estimated by said air fuel ratio detection device is a rich air fuel ratio, than in cases where it is a stoichiometric air fuel ratio or a lean air fuel ratio.
Here, when a voltage is applied to the electrode, the particulate matter can be electrified or charged. The charged particulate matter is caused to move toward an inner wall of the exhaust passage by means of a Coulomb force or a flow of the exhaust gas. The particulate matter, which has reached the inner wall of the exhaust passage, releases electrons to the exhaust passage, so electricity flows to a ground side rather than to the electrode. Then, the particulate matter, which has released the electrons, aggregates with other particulate matter which exists nearby, so it is possible to decrease the number of particles.
In addition, when HC, CO, or the like, which is unburnt fuel, is contained in the exhaust gas, the unburnt fuel serves as a carrier, so when a voltage is applied to the electrode, an electric current passes to the electrode through the unburnt fuel. This electric current is detected in the current detection device. Then, in cases where the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is a rich air fuel ratio, a lot of unburnt fuel is contained in the exhaust gas, so the electric current passing through the electrode becomes very large.
The electric current passing through the unburnt fuel such as HC, CO, etc., at the time when the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is a rich air fuel ratio becomes larger than an electric current passing through the particulate matter. Then, an excessively large electric current passes to various kinds of devices, so there is a fear that these devices may be deteriorated. On the other hand, in the case of a rich air fuel ratio, the voltage control device makes the voltage to be applied small. When the voltage to be applied is made small, an amount of electron emission will decrease and the electric current passing through the electrode will decrease. That is, it is possible to suppress an excessively large current from flowing to the electrode, the power supply, and so on.
In the present invention, provision is further made for:
an insulation part that insulates electricity between said processing part and said exhaust passage; and
a ground part that grounds said processing part;
wherein said current detection device can detect the electric current in said ground part.
The current detection device detects the electric current at an electric potential reference point side from the electrode. In general, wiring is made often longer or thicker at a power supply side from the electrode than at a ground side from the electrode. In addition, electric charges may be stored at the power supply side from the electrode. Then, in cases where an electric current is detected at the power supply side from the electrode, even if a strong discharge is generated in the electrode, the rising and falling of the electric current detected by the current detection device at that time become slow. On the other hand, at the ground side from the electrode, wiring can be made relatively short and thin. For this reason, it is possible to detect the electric current in a more accurate manner. In addition, due to the provision of the insulation part, it is possible to suppress electricity from flowing to other than the ground part. For this reason, it is possible to detect the electric current in a more accurate manner.
Moreover, in the present invention, the lower the air fuel ratio detected or estimated by said air fuel ratio detection device, the smaller said voltage control device can make the voltage applied to said electrode from said power supply.
That is, the lower the air fuel ratio, the higher the concentration of the unburnt fuel in the exhaust gas becomes, so the larger electric current passes therethrough. In contrast to this, by making the voltage to be applied smaller, it is possible to suppress an excessively large current from flowing to the electrode and the power supply.
Further, in the present invention, provision is further made for an exhaust gas amount detection device that detects or estimates an amount of exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine,
wherein the more the amount of exhaust gas detected or estimated by said exhaust gas amount detection device, the smaller said voltage control device can make the voltage applied to said electrode from said power supply.
The amount of exhaust gas may be the mass of the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust passage per unit time. The more the amount of exhaust gas, the more unburnt fuel passes through the surroundings of the electrode, so the larger electric current can pass therethrough. In contrast to this, by making the voltage to be applied smaller, it is possible to suppress an excessively large current from flowing to the electrode and the power supply.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an excessively large electric current from flowing to the electrode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing the schematic construction of a particulate matter processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a flow for controlling a voltage to be applied according to the embodiment.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, reference will be made to a specific embodiment of a particulate matter processing apparatus according to the present invention based on the attached drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a view showing the schematic construction of a particulate matter processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention. The particulate matter processing apparatus 1 is arranged in an exhaust passage 2 of a gasoline engine.
The particulate matter processing apparatus 1 is constructed to include a housing 3 which is connected at its opposite ends with the exhaust passage 2. As a material for the housing 3, there is used a stainless steel material. The housing 3 is formed into a hollow cylindrical shape with its diameter being larger than that of the exhaust passage 2. The opposite end portions of the housing 3 are each formed into a tapered shape of which the cross-sectional area becomes smaller as they become closer to their ends, respectively. Here, note that in FIG. 1, an exhaust gas flows through the exhaust passage 2 in the direction of an arrow, and flows into the interior of the housing 3. For this reason, the housing 3 may also be a part of the exhaust passage 2.
The exhaust passage 2 and the housing 3 are connected to each other through insulation parts 4. The insulation parts 4 are each made of an electrically insulating material. The insulation parts 4 are each sandwiched between a flange 21, which is formed at an end of the exhaust passage 2, and a flange 31, which is formed at one adjacent end of the housing 3. The exhaust passage 2 and the housing 3 are fastened to each other, for example, by means of bolts and nuts. Then, these bolts and nuts are also subjected to insulation processing so as to prevent electricity from flowing through these bolts and nuts. In this manner, electricity is prevented from flowing between the exhaust passage 2 and the housing 3.
An electrode 5 is mounted on the housing 3. The electrode 5 penetrates through a side surface of the housing 3, extend from the side surface of the housing 3 in the direction of a central axis thereof, are then bent to an upstream side of the flow of the exhaust gas in the vicinity of the central axis, and extend toward the upstream side of the flow of the exhaust gas in parallel to the central axis. Then, the electrode 5 further bends to a side surface side of the housing 3 at its upstream side, and leads to the outside while penetrating through the side surface of the housing 3.
In addition, the electrode 5 is provided with insulator parts 51, 55 each made of an electrically insulating material, which serve to prevent electricity from flowing between the electrode 5 and the housing 3. These insulator parts 51, 55 are located between the electrode 5 and the housing 3, and have a function of insulating electricity and at the same time fixedly securing the electrode 5 to the housing 3.
Then, the electrode 5 has its one end connected to a power supply 6 through a power supply side electric wire 52. The power supply 6 can supply electricity to the electrode 5 and at the same time change a voltage to be applied thereto. This power supply 6 is connected to a control device 7 and a battery 8 through electric wires, respectively. The control device 7 controls the voltage which is applied to the electrode 5 by the power supply 6. In addition, a ground electric wire 54 for connecting the power supply 6 to a reference point of electric potential is connected to the power supply 6. The power supply 6 is connected to ground through this ground electric wire 54.
Moreover, the electrode 5 has its other end connected to the ground electric wire 54 through a short circuit electric wire 56. To the middle of the short circuit electric wire 56, a switch 57 for opening and closing an electric circuit is provided or connected. An electric current flows through the short circuit electric wire 56 by turning on the switch 57 during the application of the voltage by the power supply 6. At this time, the electrode 5 is placed in a short-circuited state, so the temperature of the electrode 5 goes up. Here, note that in this embodiment, the power supply side electric wire 52 is connected to the downstream side insulator part 51 and the short circuit electric wire 56 is connected to the upstream side insulator part 55, but instead of this, the short circuit electric wire 56 may be connected to the downstream side insulator part 51, and the power supply side electric wire 52 may be connected to the upstream side insulator part 55.
Also, a ground side electric wire 53 is connected to the housing 3, so that the housing 3 is connected to ground through the ground side electric wire 53. A detection device 9, which serves to detect the electric current passing through the ground side electric wire 53, is provided or connected to the ground side electric wire 53. The detection device 9 detects the electric current, for example, by measuring a potential difference between opposite ends of a resistance which is provided or inserted in the middle of the ground side electric wire 53. This detection device 9 is connected to the control device 7 through an electric wire. Then, the electric current detected by the detection device 9 is inputted to the control device 7. Here, note that the ground side electric wire 53 is smaller in electric capacity than the power supply side electric wire 52, so a response at the time of detecting an electric current is higher when the detection device 9 is provided or connected to the ground side electric wire 53 than when the detection device 9 is provided or connected to the power supply side electric wire 52. Also, note that in this embodiment, the detection device 9 corresponds to a current detection device in the present invention.
In addition, an accelerator opening sensor 71, a crank position sensor 72, a temperature sensor 73, an air flow meter 74, and an air fuel ratio sensor 75 are connected to the control device 7. The accelerator opening sensor 71 detects an engine load by outputting an electric signal corresponding to an amount of depression of an accelerator pedal at which the driver of a vehicle with the internal combustion engine installed thereon has depressed or stepped down the accelerator pedal. The crank position sensor 72 detects the number of engine revolutions per unit time. The temperature sensor 73 detects the temperature of the internal combustion engine by detecting the temperature of cooling water or the temperature of lubricating oil in the internal combustion engine. The air flow meter 74 detects an amount of intake air sucked into the internal combustion engine. The air fuel ratio sensor 75 is mounted on the exhaust passage 2 at a location upstream of the housing 3, and detects the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas which flows through the exhaust passage 2. Here, note that in this embodiment, the air fuel ratio sensor 75 corresponds to an air fuel ratio detection device in the present invention. In addition, the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas may be estimated from an operating state of the internal combustion engine.
Moreover, the switch 57 is connected to the control device 7 through an electric wire, so that the control device 7 performs an ON-OFF operation of the switch 57. Here, by turning the switch into an ON state during the time when a voltage is applied to the electrode 5 from the power supply 6, an electric current passes through the short circuit electric wire 56. On the other hand, by turning the switch into an OFF state, the electric current passing through the short circuit electric wire 56 is put into a stopped state.
In the particulate matter processing apparatus 1 as constructed in this manner, electrons are released from the electrode 5 by applying a negative high direct current voltage from the power supply 6 to the electrode 5 when the switch 57 is in the OFF state. That is, electrons are caused to be released from the electrode 5 by making the electric potential of the electrode 5 lower than that of the housing 3. Then, particulate matter in the exhaust gas can be charged to negative polarity by means of these electrons. The particulate matter thus charged to negative polarity is caused to move by means of a Coulomb force and a gas stream of the exhaust gas. Thereafter, when the particulate matter reaches the housing 3, the electrons, which have charged the particulate matter to negative polarity, will be released to the housing 3. The particulate matter, which has released the electrons to the housing 3, aggregates, thereby making larger the particle diameter or size of each particle. In addition, the number of particles in the particulate matter is reduced due to the aggregation of particulate matter. That is, by applying the voltage to the electrode 5, the diameters or sizes of particles in the particulate matter can be made larger, thus making it possible to reduce the number of particles in the particulate matter.
In addition, when a voltage is applied from the power supply 6 to the electrode 5 by turning on the switch 57, the electrode 5 is placed in a short-circuited state, whereby the temperature of the electrode 5 goes up. As a result of this, substances such as particulate matter, water, and the like, adhered to the electrode 5, can be removed by being oxidized or evaporated.
Incidentally, if unburnt fuel such as HC, CO, etc., is contained in the exhaust gas, upon application of a voltage to the electrode 5, the unburnt fuel will serve as a carrier for electrons, so that an ionic current will flow. Then, when the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas becomes a rich air fuel ratio, the amount of the unburnt fuel in the exhaust gas will increase, and the ionic current will increase. As a result, the electric current to be detected will become larger. Then, the ionic current due to the unburnt fuel is by far larger than the electric current which passes through particulate matter when the particulate matter is aggregated.
Here, there is a fear that when an excessively large electric current due to the ionic current passes through the power supply 6, the electrode 5, and other circuits, these devices or elements may be deteriorated or failed. In addition, if the apparatus is constructed so as to withstand an excessively large electric current, it will result in an increase in the cost of production.
Accordingly, in this embodiment, the voltage applied to the electrode 5 from the power supply 6 is made smaller in cases where the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is a rich air fuel ratio than in cases where it is a stoichiometric air fuel ratio or a lean air fuel ratio. Thus, by making the voltage to be applied small in this manner, the electric current can be made smaller, so the above-mentioned devices or elements can be protected.
Here, note that when the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is a rich air fuel ratio, an amount of electric current to be made smaller can be set to a predetermined value which has beforehand been calculated through experiments, etc. In addition, the lower the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas, the higher the concentration of the unburnt fuel becomes, so the larger the electric current becomes. As a result, the lower the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas, the smaller the voltage to be applied may be made.
Moreover, the more an amount of exhaust gas (which may also be a flow rate of exhaust gas) in the internal combustion engine, the more the unburnt fuel which passes through the housing 3 increases, so the more electric current can pass. Accordingly, the more the amount of exhaust gas, the smaller the voltage to be applied may be made.
Here, note that in this embodiment, due to the provision of the insulation parts 4, it is suppressed that electricity passes to the exhaust passage 2. Accordingly, the electric current, which passes to the housing 3 through a deposit on the electrode 5, particulate matter afloat in the exhaust gas, and unburnt fuel, is detected by the detection device 9. In addition, the detection accuracy of the electric current can be enhanced by detecting the electric current in the ground side electric wire 53. In general, the power supply side electric wire 52 is often longer in wiring length or thicker in wiring diameter than the ground side electric wire 53. Then, if an electric current is detected in the power supply side electric wire 52, the rising and falling of the detected electric current become slower than an actual change of the electric current. For this reason, there is a fear that the detection accuracy of the electric current may become low.
On the other hand, in the ground side electric wire 53, wiring can be made relatively short and thin. For this reason, the response to an actual change of electric current is higher when the electric current is detected in the ground side electric wire 53. Accordingly, by detecting the electric current in the ground side electric wire 53, it is possible to detect the electric current in a more accurate manner.
Here, note that in this embodiment, a catalyst for oxidizing unburnt fuel may be provided at the upstream side of the housing 3. Then, when the catalyst is in an activated state, an amount of unburnt fuel which flows into the housing 3 can be decreased. According to this, it is possible to suppress an excessively large current from flowing to the electrode 5.
Next, FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a flow or routine for controlling the voltage to be applied according to this embodiment. This routine is carried out by means of the control device 7 in a repeated manner at each predetermined time interval.
In step S101, the operating state of the internal combustion engine is obtained. For example, the values to be needed for hereafter processing, such as the number of engine revolutions per unit time, the engine load, the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas, and so on, are read in. The number of engine revolutions per unit time is detected by the crank position sensor 72, and the engine load is detected by the accelerator opening sensor 71. In addition, the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is detected by the air fuel ratio sensor 75. Here, note that the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas can also be estimated from the number of engine revolutions per unit time, the engine load, the temperature of the internal combustion engine, and so on. Also, the temperature of the internal combustion engine (e.g., the temperature of lubricating oil or the temperature of cooling water) is detected by the temperature sensor 73.
In step S102, the voltage to be applied to the electrode 5 is calculated. The voltage to be applied is set according to the number of particles in the particulate matter (pieces/cm³) estimated. This number of particles in the particulate matter is the number of particles in the particulate matter which are emitted by the internal combustion engine, and is the number of particles in the particulate matter before the particulate matter flows into the housing 3. The number of particles in the particulate matter has a correlation with the number of engine revolutions per unit time, the engine load, and the temperature of the internal combustion engine (e.g., the temperature of lubricating oil or temperature of cooling water), and hence is calculated based on these values. A plurality of maps according to the temperature of the internal combustion engine may be stored which are used for calculating the number of particles in the particulate matter from the number of engine revolutions per unit time and the engine load, and the number of particles in the particulate matter may be calculated based on these maps.
Here, note that a sensor for detecting the number of particles in the particulate matter may be mounted on the exhaust passage 2 at a location upstream of the housing 3, so that the number of particles in the particulate matter is detected by this sensor.
Then, the voltage to be applied is calculated based on the number of particles in the particulate matter and the amount of exhaust gas (g/sec) in the internal combustion engine. Such a relation may have beforehand been obtained through experiments, etc., and made into a map. The amount of exhaust gas in the internal combustion engine has a correlation with the amount of intake air in the internal combustion engine, and hence, can be obtained based on the amount of intake air detected by the air flow meter 74. In addition, the amount of exhaust gas may be estimated from the number of engine revolutions per unit time and the engine load. A sensor for detecting the amount of exhaust gas may also be arranged in the exhaust passage 2. Thus, the control device 7, which calculates the amount of exhaust gas in the internal combustion engine, corresponds to an exhaust gas amount detection device in the present invention.
Here, the smaller the amount of exhaust gas, the smaller the inertia force of the particulate matter becomes, and hence, the influence of an electrostatic action becomes relatively larger. For this reason, it becomes easy for the particulate matter to aggregate. Accordingly, the smaller the amount of exhaust gas, with the smaller voltage to be applied, the particulate matter aggregates. For this reason, the smaller the amount of exhaust gas, the smaller the voltage to be applied is made. In addition, the more the number of particles in the particulate matter, the shorter become the distances between adjacent particles in the particulate matter, and hence, the influence of the electrostatic action becomes relatively larger. For this reason, the more the number of particles in the particulate matter, with the smaller voltage to be applied, the particulate matter aggregates. As a result, the more the number of particles in the particulate matter, the smaller the voltage to be applied is made.
In addition, the voltage to be applied may also be, for example, such a value that the reduction or decrease rate of the number of particles in the particulate matter becomes a predetermined value (e.g., 40%). Also, the voltage to be applied may also be a specified value which has been set beforehand.
Then, after the voltage to be applied has been calculated, this voltage is applied, and the routine goes to step S103, in which an electric current is detected. This electric current is a value detected by the detection device 9.
In step S104, it is determined whether the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas obtained in step S101 is a rich air fuel ratio. In this step, it is determined whether a lot of unburnt fuel is contained in the exhaust gas.
Then, in cases where an affirmative determination is made in step S104, the routine advances to step S105. On the other hand, in cases where a negative determination is made, this routine is terminated, and thereafter, various kinds of control are carried out based on the detected electric current. For example, when water or particulate matter adheres to the electrode 5, the detected electric current will become large, and hence, a determination may be made based on the detected electric current as to whether there exists a deposit on the electrode 5. Then, in cases where it is determined that a deposit exists on the electrode 5, by applying a voltage thereto while turning on the switch 57, the temperature of the electrode 5 is raised, thereby making it possible to remove the deposit. In addition, the detected electric current becomes larger in accordance with the increasing amount of aggregation of the particulate matter, so the amount of aggregation of the particulate matter may be estimated based on the detected electric current.
In step S105, the voltage to be applied is decreased from the value thereof calculated in step S102. That is, the voltage to be applied is made smaller in the case of a rich air fuel ratio than in the case of a stoichiometric air fuel ratio or a lean air fuel ratio.
Here, note that the smaller the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas, the smaller the voltage to be applied is made. In addition, the larger the amount of exhaust gas in the internal combustion engine, the smaller the voltage to be applied is made. The relation between the extent to which the voltage to be applied is made smaller and the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas, and the relation between the extent to which the voltage to be applied is made smaller, and the amount of exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine have beforehand been obtained through experiments, etc., and made into a map. Here, note that in this embodiment, the control device 7, which carries out the processing of step S105, corresponds to a voltage control device in the present invention.
In this manner, the voltage to be applied is made smaller at the time of a rich air fuel ratio, so it is possible to suppress an excessively large current from flowing to the power supply 6, the electrode 5, and the other circuits. As a result, these devices or elements can be protected. In addition, an increase in the power consumption by the passage of a large electric current can be suppressed. As a result, deterioration in fuel economy can be suppressed.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND CHARACTERS

1 particulate matter processing apparatus
2 exhaust passage
3 housing
4 insulation parts
5 electrode
6 power supply
7 control device
8 battery
9 detection device
21 flange
31 flange
51 insulator part
52 power supply side electric wire
53 ground side electric wire
54 ground electric wire
55 insulator part
56 short circuit electric wire
57 switch
71 accelerator opening sensor
72 crank position sensor
73 temperature sensor
74 air flow meter
75 air fuel ratio sensor

Claims

1. A particulate matter processing apparatus in which a processing part with an electrode installed therein is arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine, wherein particulate matter is caused to aggregate by generating a potential difference between the electrode and the processing part, said apparatus comprising:

a power supply that is connected to said electrode and applies a voltage thereto;

a current detection device that detects an electric current which passes through said electrode;

an air fuel ratio detection device that detects or estimates an air fuel ratio of an exhaust gas which flows through said exhaust passage; and

a voltage control device that makes the voltage applied to said electrode from said power supply smaller in cases where the air fuel ratio detected or estimated by said air fuel ratio detection device is a rich air fuel ratio, than in cases where it is a stoichiometric air fuel ratio or a lean air fuel ratio.

2. The particulate matter processing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

an insulation part that insulates electricity between said processing part and said exhaust passage; and

a ground part that grounds said processing part;

wherein said current detection device detects the electric current in said ground part.

3. The particulate matter processing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein

the lower the air fuel ratio detected or estimated by said air fuel ratio detection device, the smaller said voltage control device makes the voltage applied to said electrode from said power supply.

4. The particulate matter processing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

an exhaust gas amount detection device that detects or estimates an amount of exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine;

wherein the more the amount of exhaust gas detected or estimated by said exhaust gas amount detection device, the smaller said voltage control device makes the voltage applied to said electrode from said power supply.

5. The particulate matter processing apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein

6. The particulate matter processing apparatus as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

7. The particulate matter processing apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: