Gyroscopic Sensor Ceramic Base Decoupling Parasitic Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gyroscopic sensors are heavy and bulky due to stiff materials used in their bases, leading to amplification of parasitic vibration modes that interfere with the 'useful' vibration mode, resulting in reduced performance and precision in rotation angle measurements.

Innovation Solution

A gyroscopic sensor with a base made of an insulating material, such as ceramic, and integrated electrical connections, using elastic conducting support rods to decouple the electrode carrier from the base, and a design that minimizes parasitic vibration modes by optimizing the material's density and Young's modulus, allowing for a lightweight and compact form factor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a stiff material base is used to reduce vibrations, then the sensor becomes heavy and bulky, but parasitic vibration modes are amplified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase stiffnessVSAvoidsensor mass
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to ceramic, which has different density and elastic modulus characteristics. This allows achieving the required stiffness with lower mass, resolving the contradiction between base strength and sensor weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite structure combining ceramic base with metalized elements and elastic conducting support rods. This composite approach allows optimizing both stiffness and weight by combining materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If a stiff material base is used to reduce vibrations, then the sensor becomes heavy and bulky, but the sensor size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase stiffnessVSAvoidsensor volume
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing from metal to ceramic material, the patent achieves higher stiffness-to-volume ratio, allowing the base to be more compact while maintaining required mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If the base mass is reduced, then the sensor becomes lightweight and compact, but parasitic vibration modes interfere with the useful vibration mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor massVSAvoidrotation angle measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the ceramic base dimensions and material properties to shift parasitic vibration modes away from the useful vibration frequency range, preventing interference while maintaining lightweight design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic conducting support rods act as intermediaries between the ceramic base and electrode carrier, providing mechanical decoupling that isolates the sensitive element from parasitic vibrations while maintaining electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If support rods pass through the base to provide electrical connections, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the base loses structural integrity and increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidbase structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical through-hole connections with surface-mounted electrical contacts on the ceramic base, eliminating the need for support rods to pass through the base. This maintains base structural integrity while providing reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution reduces the mass and size of the sensor by up to two-thirds, minimizing parasitic vibration modes and enhancing the precision of rotation angle measurements by isolating the 'useful' vibration mode, while also providing a sealed and more reliable electrical connection system.

Implementation Method 1

The decoupling element is designed to decouple the electrode carrier and the sensitive element relative to the dimensional variations of the base that are brought about by the thermal variations to which the sensor is subjected.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

The decoupling element is designed to decouple the electrode carrier and the sensitive element relative to the dimensional variations of the base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Damping

Implementation Method 3

the first electrical coupler is elastic along the axial direction of the shaft of the sensitive element and along a direction perpendicular thereto to compensate for any modifications in the distance between the electrode carrier and the base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3569978B1Gyroscopic sensor
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE (FR)
  • EP3569978B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3569978B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3569978B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Gyroscopic sensor (2) comprising: - a sensitive element (4) suitable designed to vibrate; - an electrode carrier (8) capable of carrying excitation electrodes (20) and detection electrodes (20) for detecting the vibration of the sensitive element; and - elements (10,16) for supporting the electrode carrier;characterized in that the supporting elements (10, 16) comprise : - a base (10) made of an insulating material, - electrical connections (34, 35) integrated into the base (10), - conducting support rods (16) interposed between the base (10) and the electrode carrier (8), said support rods (16) being, on one side, soldered to electrical contacts (42, 46) of the electrical connections (34, 35) and, on the other side, connected to the excitation/detection electrodes (20) of the electrode carrier (8).