Angular Velocity Sensor Flat Oscillator Height Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional angular velocity sensors are unable to reduce their height along the axis of rotation due to the height of the oscillator, which must be positioned orthogonal to the axis of rotation to calculate angular velocity.
Innovation Solution
The angular velocity sensor features a pair of drive arms and a flexible arm with a base portion that allows the oscillator to be laid on a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation, enabling the calculation of angular velocity by detecting the distortion of the flexible arm resulting from flex oscillation, while reducing the sensor's height along the axis of rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the oscillator is positioned upright along the Z-axis to calculate angular velocity about the Z-axis, then the angular velocity can be detected, but the height of the sensor along the Z-axis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional orientation of the oscillator from upright (along Z-axis) to laid-flat (on XY-plane). By rotating the oscillator 90 degrees around the Y-axis, the drive arms extend along the X-axis and the flexible arm extends along the Z-axis, allowing angular velocity detection about the Z-axis while reducing the sensor height along the Z-axis to minimal thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational dimension of the oscillator from vertical (Z-axis orientation) to horizontal (XY-plane orientation). The drive arms oscillate along the X-axis direction, and the flexible arm's distortion is detected along the Z-axis direction, effectively using the plane orthogonal to the rotation axis for measurement while minimizing height in the rotation axis direction.
2Length of moving object
If the oscillator is laid on the XY-plane to reduce sensor height, then the height along Z-axis is reduced, but the detection mechanism must be fundamentally changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible arm (flexible beam) as the sensing element that can be laid flat in the XY-plane. This flexible structure allows for in-plane oscillation of the drive arms to produce out-of-plane distortion that can be detected, enabling the reduced-height configuration while maintaining detection functionality through the flexible arm's elastic deformation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design allows for the calculation of angular velocity even when the oscillator is positioned on a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation, effectively reducing the sensor's height and improving sensitivity and precision by minimizing leakage oscillations.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillator having one of various shapes including the shape of a tuning fork, an H shape and a T shape to oscillate and electrically detect a distortion of the oscillator resulting from the production of a Coriolis force
Implementation Method 2
stresses act on the two drive arms in the opposite direction along Y-axis direction upon the occurrence of an angular velocity about the Z-axis with the drive arms driven and oscillated along the X-axis direction, whereby the base portion is flexed and oscillated along the Y-axis direction
Data Source
AI summary
An angular velocity sensor is provided with an oscillator including a pair of drive arms, a base portion coupled to one end of each drive arm, and a flexible arm extending from the base portion in a direction opposite from the drive arms. This angular velocity sensor is also provided with a driving member which oscillates the pair of drive arms in an approaching or separating direction, and a distortion detecting member which detects a distortion of the flexible arm in the oscillating direction of the drive arms.