Asymmetric Support Arm Resonator for Miniaturized DLD Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional resonators face challenges in improving drive level dependency (DLD) as they become miniaturized, as simply reducing the ratio of holding arm connection positions to base portion length is insufficient for further enhancement.
Innovation Solution
A resonator design featuring a vibrating portion with multiple vibrating arms that bend out of plane with different phases, a holding portion, and a support arm asymmetric with respect to the center line, which increases the flexure of the base portion and improves DLD by altering the frequency changing rate per unit power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ratio of holding arm connection positions to base portion length is reduced, then drive level dependency is improved, but device miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an asymmetric support arm configuration where the support arm is positioned at a different distance from the center line of the vibrating portion than the holding arm. This asymmetric arrangement creates unequal flexure characteristics that improve drive level dependency without requiring the resonator to be larger, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and device miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the support structure by positioning the support arm at a specific distance from the center line that differs from the holding arm position. This parameter modification alters the flexure distribution and stress characteristics, enabling improved drive level dependency while maintaining compact dimensions.
2Volume of moving object
If resonator size is reduced for miniaturization, then device integration is improved, but drive level dependency improvement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing asymmetric support arm positioning relative to the center line, the patent achieves improved drive level dependency in miniaturized resonators. The asymmetric configuration creates beneficial stress distribution and flexure characteristics that compensate for the reduced size, allowing both miniaturization and reliability improvement to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different flexure characteristics at different locations through the asymmetric support arm arrangement. The support arm is positioned to provide specific mechanical properties at its connection point, localizing the stress and flexure control to improve drive level dependency without increasing overall device size.
3Device complexity
If holding arm connection position ratio is increased, then device complexity is reduced, but drive level dependency worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing asymmetry between the holding arm and support arm positions. Rather than using identical symmetric configurations, the different positioning creates complementary flexure characteristics that improve drive level dependency while maintaining manageable device complexity through a straightforward structural arrangement.
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
The design effectively enhances DLD by increasing the displacement of the base portion and reducing the frequency changing rate per unit power, allowing for improved performance in miniaturized resonators.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of vibrating arms numbering in three or more, each having a fixed end, and including at least two vibrating arms to bend out of plane with different phases
Data Source
AI summary
A resonator may include a vibrating portion that includes a plurality of vibrating arms to numbering in three or more, each having a fixed end, and including at least two vibrating arms to bend out of plane with different phases and a base portion having a fore end portion to which the fixed end of each of the plurality of vibrating arms to is connected and a rear end portion opposed to the fore end portion; a holding portion configured to hold the vibrating portion; and a support arm having one end connected to the holding portion and the other end connected to the rear end portion of the base portion. The support arm is asymmetric with respect to a center line of the vibrating portion with respect to a longitudinal direction in plan view.