Azimuth Angle Measurement with Switchable Gyro Control States

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing angular velocity sensors with interchangeable primary and secondary side control circuits face challenges in accurately detecting angular velocity in both stationary and motion states, leading to intermittent detection.

Innovation Solution

An azimuth/attitude angle measuring device with a control unit that switches between states in the angular velocity sensor, allowing detection with or without interchanging the primary and secondary side control circuits, and adjusts detection range, frequency band, and offset values to enhance accuracy in both stationary and motion states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the angular velocity sensor interchanges the function of primary side and secondary side to detect angular velocity, then the bias component can be canceled and accurate detection in stationary state is achieved, but the detection becomes intermittent and cannot accurately detect angular velocity in motion state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular velocity detection accuracyVSAvoidcontinuous detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the control circuit configuration changeable between two states: a first state where primary and secondary side control circuits are interchangeable (for bias cancellation in stationary state), and a second state where they are not interchangeable (for continuous detection in motion state). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its detection mode based on whether it is in stationary or motion state, thereby achieving both high precision in stationary state and continuous reliable detection in motion state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the primary side control circuit and secondary side control circuit are made interchangeable, then the sensor can cancel bias component by differentiation, but the detection is interrupted during function interchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebias component cancellationVSAvoiddetection interruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by predicting the device state (stationary or motion) in advance and pre-configuring the control circuit accordingly. When stationary state is predicted, the system switches to the first state with interchangeable control circuits to enable bias cancellation. When motion state is predicted, the system switches to the second state with non-interchangeable control circuits to ensure continuous detection. This preliminary configuration based on state prediction eliminates detection interruptions during function interchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the angular velocity sensor uses interchangeable primary and secondary side control circuits, then accuracy in stationary state is improved, but the detection range and frequency band are not optimized for motion state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestationary state detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection range and frequency band adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by switching between different control circuit configurations based on the detected state. In the first state (for stationary detection), the interchangeable control circuit configuration provides high precision with optimized parameters for low-frequency, low-magnitude signals. In the second state (for motion detection), the non-interchangeable configuration provides extended detection range and frequency band capability to handle high-frequency, high-magnitude signals. This parameter change approach allows the sensor to optimize its performance characteristics for different operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device enables continuous and accurate detection of angular velocity in both stationary and motion states by canceling bias components and minimizing interference, while also functioning as a gyro compass and inertial navigation device.

Implementation Method 1

a primary side control circuit that has a closed control loop, an output of the closed control loop inducing primary vibration in the vibrator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

a secondary side control circuit that has a closed control loop for detecting secondary vibration generated in the vibrator due to an angular velocity applied to the vibrator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoriolis force: Coriolis Force

Implementation Method 3

detection means for detecting the magnitude of an electric signal generated in the other of the primary electrode and the secondary electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric signal detection: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4130665B1Azimuth/attitude angle measurement device
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 SUMITOMO PRECISION PRODUCTS CO LTD
  • EP4130665B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4130665B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4130665B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An azimuth/attitude angle measuring device (100) inc ludes an angular velocity sensor (103a) and a control unit (101). The angular velocity sensor includes a vibrator ( 11), a primary side control circuit (12), and a secondary side control circuit (13). The control unit is configured to perform control for switching a state of the angular v elocity sensor between a first state in which the angular velocity is detected by interchanging a function of the pr imary side control circuit and a function of the secondary side control circuit and a second state in which the angu lar velocity is detected without the function of the prima ry side control circuit and the function of the secondary side control circuit being interchanged.