Ion Discharge Gyroscope Using Coriolis-Diverted Plasma Jets
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Solution Overview
Problem
MEMS-based gyroscopes face inaccuracies due to mechanical shock and high manufacturing costs, making them less suitable for widespread deployment in consumer electronics.
Innovation Solution
An ion discharge gyroscope generates symmetrical ion jet streams, using the Coriolis effect to measure rotational motion and linear acceleration, with embodiments employing thermocouples for temperature measurement and current mode sensing to determine motion and acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a MEMS-based vibration-mode gyroscope uses a beam structure and capacitive sensing mechanism, then the gyroscope can be manufactured using MEMS processes, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to mechanical shock and the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical beam structure and capacitive sensing mechanism with an ion-based discharge system. Instead of using physical vibrating beams that are sensitive to mechanical shock, the invention uses ion discharge between electrodes to create a controlled plasma environment where ion flow patterns indicate rotational motion, eliminating the mechanical vulnerability while maintaining MEMS manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from mechanical vibration to ion discharge characteristics. By monitoring changes in ion flow, current, or plasma properties in response to rotational motion, the system achieves accurate measurement without relying on mechanical structures that are prone to shock-induced errors
2Adaptability or versatility
If a MEMS-based vibration-mode gyroscope uses a beam structure and capacitive sensing mechanism, then the gyroscope can detect rotational motion, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates complex mechanical beam structures and capacitive sensing components by substituting them with a simpler ion discharge system. The core functionality of detecting rotational motion is maintained through monitoring ion flow patterns in a plasma field, which requires fewer mechanical parts and simplifies the overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex mechanical vibrating beam structure and capacitive sensing mechanism from the system. By eliminating these unnecessary mechanical components and replacing them with a direct ion-based sensing approach, the device complexity is reduced while retaining the essential gyroscope function
3Adaptability or versatility
If a convective gyroscope uses a micro pump actuated by a piezoelectric PZT diaphragm to generate a hot fluid jet stream, then the gyroscope can measure rotational motion, but the manufacturing difficulty increases as it is difficult to manufacture in a MEMS process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the piezoelectric PZT diaphragm and micro pump mechanism with a direct ion discharge system. Instead of using piezoelectric materials and complex fluid pumping mechanisms that are difficult to integrate into MEMS processes, the invention uses electric field-driven ion discharge that can be easily fabricated using standard MEMS techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the hot fluid jet stream generation with an ion-based discharge system. Instead of heating and pumping physical fluid through complex microchannels, the invention creates a controllable ion plasma flow between electrodes, which achieves similar jet stream effects for rotational sensing but with much simpler MEMS-compatible fabrication
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 ion discharge gyroscope provides accurate and reliable measurements of rotational motion and linear acceleration, while being economical to manufacture and robust enough for consumer product implementations.
Implementation Method 1
An ion discharge gyroscope generates symmetrical ion jet streams and measures respective amounts of the jet streams impinging on detectors
Implementation Method 2
The ion jet streams will be diverted by operation of the Coriolis effect and the differences in the amount of each ion jet stream impinging on the detectors is an indication of rotational motion and linear acceleration
Implementation Method 3
In one embodiment, the ion jet streams are heated and the respective temperatures of the detectors are measured
Data Source
AI summary
An ion discharge gyroscope measures rotational motion and linear acceleration by generating symmetrical ion jet streams and measuring respective amounts of the jet streams impinging on detectors located so as to intercept the ion jet streams. The ion jet streams will be diverted by operation of the Coriolis effect and the differences in the amount of each ion jet stream impinging on the detectors is an indication of rotational motion and linear acceleration. In one embodiment, the ion jet streams are heated and the respective temperatures of the detectors are measured. In another embodiment, the amounts of current flowing through each detector, as contributed by the ion jet streams, are measured and used to determine rotation and acceleration.