Dual Mode Vibratory Gyroscope Flexible Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vibratory gyroscopes with two sense peak structures are not sensitive enough and produce excessive mechanical noise, affecting their sensing capability.
Innovation Solution
An angular rate sensor with a drive subsystem and a sense subsystem, both partially supported by a substrate, are flexibly coupled, allowing the Coriolis force to act on the drive subsystem and transfer motion to the sense subsystem, which is proportional to the substrate's rotation rate, while rejecting mechanical noise through anti-resonant frequencies alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional designs use two sense peak structures with split sense masses, then the gyroscope can achieve two mode dynamics, but the sensing capability is insufficient and mechanical noise is high
Solution Approach 1:
The gyroscope is divided into separate drive and sense subsystems that are flexibly coupled rather than rigidly connected. The sense masses are anchored to the substrate while the drive subsystem oscillates independently, allowing the Coriolis force to be transferred through the flexible coupling without generating excessive mechanical noise. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling two mode dynamics while reducing noise and improving sensing capability.
2Measurement precision
If sense masses are not anchored in conventional two sense peak designs, then the structure is simpler, but the sensitivity is insufficient for some applications
Solution Approach 1:
The sense masses are anchored to the substrate through flexible couplings, creating a segmented structure where the drive and sense subsystems are independent yet coupled. This anchoring improves sensitivity by providing a stable reference while the flexible coupling maintains structural simplicity and enables the two mode dynamics required for accurate measurement.
3Reliability
If the drive and sense subsystems are rigidly connected, then the structure is more stable, but mechanical noise adversely affects sensing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The drive and sense subsystems are connected through flexible couplings rather than rigid connections. These flexible elements allow the transfer of Coriolis force while isolating the sense subsystem from mechanical noise generated by the drive subsystem, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and noise reduction.
4Measurement precision
If a flexible coupling is used between drive and sense subsystems, then noise is isolated and sensitivity is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible couplings are used to connect the drive and sense subsystems, providing noise isolation and sensitivity enhancement through the flexible connection that allows Coriolis force transfer while reducing mechanical noise transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible coupling creates a segmented architecture where drive and sense subsystems are independently designed and anchored, allowing optimized performance while managing complexity through modular design.
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 flexible coupling enhances sensitivity by isolating noise and transferring Coriolis force effectively, improving the gyroscope's sensing capability and reducing mechanical noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
The Coriolis force acts on the drive subsystem along or around a second axis in response to angular velocity of the substrate around the third axis
Implementation Method 2
the angular rate sensor comprises a flexible coupling between the drive subsystem and the sense subsystem
Data Source
AI summary
An angular rate sensor is disclosed. The angular rate sensor comprises a substrate and a drive subsystem partially supported by a substrate. The drive subsystem includes at least one spring, at least one anchor, and at least one mass; the at least one mass of the drive subsystem is oscillated by at least one actuator along a first axis. Coriolis force acts on moving the drive subsystem along or around a second axis in response to angular velocity of the substrate around the third axis. The angular rate sensor also includes a sense subsystem partially supported by a substrate. The sense subsystem includes at least one spring, at least one anchor, and at least one mass.