Coriolis Gyroscope Bottom Plate Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Coriolis force gyroscopes face limitations in sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio due to the difficulty in forming a low compliance bond between curved surfaces, leading to asymmetrical structures and overlapping vibration modes, which are exacerbated as the dimensions of the annular shell are reduced.

Innovation Solution

A gyroscope design featuring a cylindrical resonator with a bottom plate having equiangularly arranged openings and corresponding piezoelectric elements, both inside and outside the resonator, to enhance sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio by allowing precise detection of secondary vibration modes without deviating from symmetry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If piezoelectric transducers are mounted on the curved surface of the annular shell to sense vibration, then the gyroscope can detect rotation through Coriolis forces, but the difficulty in forming a low compliance bond between curved surfaces limits the sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidbonding difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom plate is segmented with multiple openings arranged equiangularly around its circumference, creating discrete mounting locations for piezoelectric elements. This segmentation allows the use of flat interface bonds rather than attempting to bond to the curved shell surface, thereby improving bond compliance while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flat bottom plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the curved annular shell and the piezoelectric transducers. This intermediary provides a flat bonding surface that achieves low compliance bonds, solving the bonding difficulty while enabling effective vibration sensing for measuring rotation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the dimensions of the annular shell are reduced to miniaturize the gyroscope, then the device becomes more compact, but the sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio become more acute problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom plate with equiangularly arranged openings concentrates the sensing function at discrete locations around the circumference. This segmentation allows efficient use of the available area on miniaturized devices, maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio even when the overall device dimensions are reduced

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing elements are arranged in a circumferential pattern on the bottom plate, utilizing the rotational dimension to distribute multiple sensing points. This dimensional arrangement maximizes the sensing capability within a compact footprint, maintaining signal-to-noise ratio while enabling miniaturization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If transducers are made sufficiently small to form flat interfaces with the curved shell surface, then bonding becomes feasible, but the output of the transducers is limited by their strain capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding feasibilityVSAvoidtransducer output

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple piezoelectric elements are distributed around the circumference of the bottom plate at equiangular positions. This segmentation allows each individual transducer to remain small enough for flat interface bonding, while the combined output of multiple elements overcomes the strain capability limitation of individual small transducers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 improves sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio by enabling precise detection of secondary vibration modes, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, while maintaining symmetry and temperature stability, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional gyroscopes.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged between the openings on the bottom plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

Any rotation about the z axis generates tangential periodic Coriolis forces which tend to shift the vibrational nodes around the circumference of the shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoriolis force: Coriolis Force

Data Source

PatentUS7281425B2Coriolis force gyroscope with high sensitivity

Publication Date: 2007.10.16 INNALABS

AI summary

A gyroscope includes a substantially cylindrical resonator mounted in a housing, and a bottom plate attached to the resonator. A plurality of openings are arranged circumferentially and equiangularly on the bottom plate. A plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged between the openings on the bottom plate. The number of openings can be anywhere between 2 and 16, with eight openings preferred, with a corresponding number of piezoelectric elements. Preferably, substantially the entire available area of the bottom plate is taken up by the piezoelectric elements. The piezoelectric elements can be inside or outside the resonator.