Vibrating Gyro Sensor Electrode Polarity Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing physical quantity detecting devices, such as vibrating gyro sensors, face challenges in optimizing the connection between vibrating elements and detection circuits, leading to suboptimal detection sensitivity due to grounded detection electrodes, which affect the detection of angular velocity and other physical quantities.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a physical quantity detecting device with a specific configuration of detection electrodes and current-voltage conversion units, where the first and fourth electrodes have the same electrical polarity, and the second and third electrodes have the same electrical polarity, with appropriate placement on vibrating arms to enhance signal amplitude and reduce electrostatic crosstalk, thereby improving detection sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If detection electrodes are grounded in the related art, then the device structure is simplified, but detection sensitivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidconnection configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection circuit into multiple independent current-voltage conversion units, each handling specific detection electrodes. This segmentation allows non-grounded configurations for improved sensitivity while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different detection electrodes are connected to different current-voltage conversion units based on their local signal characteristics and polarity requirements. This localized optimization enables each electrode to contribute maximally to detection sensitivity without requiring uniform grounding across all electrodes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If all detection electrodes are connected to conversion units, then detection sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidcircuit configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Detection electrodes with the same electrical polarity are merged into the same current-voltage conversion unit. This combining approach reduces the total number of conversion units needed while maintaining high detection sensitivity, as electrodes of the same polarity produce signals that can be processed together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each current-voltage conversion unit is designed to handle multiple detection electrodes simultaneously, making the conversion units multi-functional. This universality reduces the overall circuit complexity by allowing a single conversion unit to serve multiple electrodes rather than requiring dedicated units for each electrode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If electrodes of opposite polarity are combined, then signal amplitude increases, but electrostatic crosstalk occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal amplitudeVSAvoidelectrostatic crosstalk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of combining electrodes of opposite polarity as might be intuitively expected for differential signaling, the patent inverts the approach by combining only electrodes of the same polarity. This inversion prevents electrostatic crosstalk between opposite polarity electrodes while still achieving high signal amplitudes through the constructive addition of like-polarity signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameter configuration by assigning specific polarity groups to specific conversion units. This parameter change optimizes the electrical characteristics of each conversion unit, allowing it to process signals from electrodes of matching polarity without the harmful electrostatic crosstalk that would occur with mixed polarity combinations.

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

This configuration results in higher output voltage and improved detection sensitivity, leading to a more reliable physical quantity detecting device with enhanced angular velocity detection capabilities and reduced noise interference.

Implementation Method 1

a change in charge (electric potential) due to the piezoelectric phenomenon occurs near the interface between the crystal and the electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric phenomenon: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10794778B2Physical quantity detecting device, electronic apparatus, and moving object

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A physical quantity detecting device includes a vibrating element and a charge amplifier. The vibrating element includes a first detection electrode, a second detection electrode, a third detection electrode, and a fourth detection electrode. The first and fourth detection electrodes have the same electrical polarity, the second and third detection electrodes have the same electrical polarity, and the first and second detection electrodes have opposite electrical polarities. The first and fourth detection electrodes are connected to the charge amplifier, and the second and third detection electrodes are connected to the charge amplifier.