Vibrating Gyro Sensor Thickness Reduction via Lead Wire Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motion sensors face challenges in reducing thickness due to the need for space to accommodate bent lead wires, which increases the overall thickness and complexity of the sensor device.

Innovation Solution

A sensor device configuration that includes a semiconductor substrate with a stress relief layer between the semiconductor substrate and the external connection terminal, allowing direct electrical connection without lead wires, and a rearrangement wiring line for flexible terminal positioning, enabling a thinner design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lead wires are made elastic to absorb impact, then reliability is improved, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidsensor device thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the lead wire from the sensor device structure entirely. Instead of using elastic lead wires to absorb impact, the invention connects the sensor element directly to the semiconductor substrate through bonding pads, eliminating the need for lead wires and thus reducing device thickness while maintaining reliability through direct rigid connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a gap between the sensor element and semiconductor substrate, and using bonding pads that can accommodate stress. This gap acts as a cushioning space that prevents direct transmission of impact forces to the sensor element, while the bonding pads provide stress relief without requiring elastic lead wires.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If space is provided for lead wire bending, then reliability is improved, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidsensor device thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the lead wire component entirely from the sensor device. The sensor element is directly bonded to the semiconductor substrate through bonding pads, eliminating the need for space required for lead wire bending and connection, thereby reducing device thickness while maintaining electrical connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides a predetermined gap between the sensor element and semiconductor substrate that serves as a cushioning space. This gap allows for stress relief and impact absorption without requiring additional space for lead wire bending, as the direct bonding structure eliminates the need for flexible connection elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Length of stationary object

If direct connection without lead wires is used, then device thickness is reduced, but stress relief capability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor device thicknessVSAvoidstress resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces bonding pads as intermediary elements between the sensor element and semiconductor substrate. These bonding pads serve as stress relief mechanisms that can deform or flex to absorb stress, while the direct bonding structure maintains compact device thickness. The bonding pads act as mediators that protect the sensor element from direct stress transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides a gap between the sensor element and semiconductor substrate that serves as a cushioning space. This gap allows for stress relief and impact absorption in the direct connection structure, compensating for the lack of elastic lead wires while maintaining reduced device thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2363689B1Motion sensor, and method of manufacturing motion sensor
Publication Date: 2016.02.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP2363689B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2363689B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2363689B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sensor device 1 includes: a silicon substrate 10; a first electrode 11 provided at an active surface 10a side of the silicon substrate 10; an external connection terminal 12 provided at the active surface 10a side so as to be electrically connected to the first electrode 11; a stress relief layer 15 provided between the silicon substrate 10 and the external connection terminal 12; and a vibrating gyro element 20 as a sensor element including a extraction electrode 29. The vibrating gyro element 20 is held to the silicon substrate 10 by connection between the extraction electrode 29 and the external connection terminal 12.