Low Inertia Coriolis Sensing Frame with Anti-Phase Rails
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angular velocity sensors face challenges in minimizing parasitic mass to enhance sensitivity, while being cost-effective and easily implementable in existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A sensing frame with two rails constrained to move in anti-phase along a common axis, flexibly coupled through guiding arms and anchoring flexures, reduces effective inertia by allowing the rails and guiding arms to rotate around pivot points, thereby transferring Coriolis torque efficiently to the sense subsystem.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the sensing frame uses a rigid structure to maintain stability, then the structural strength is improved, but the effective mass increases reducing sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing frame is divided into multiple segments (rails, guiding arms, coupling flexures) that can move independently. This segmentation allows the frame to maintain structural integrity while reducing effective mass by allowing parts to move anti-phase, thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing frame transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The coupling flexures and guiding arms allow the frame to deform and move in response to Coriolis torque, reducing effective mass while maintaining sufficient structural strength through flexible connections.
2Measurement precision
If the sensing frame uses a flexible structure to reduce effective mass, then the sensitivity is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing frame uses anti-phase motion of rails and guiding arms to create counterbalancing effects. When one part moves in one direction, another part moves in the opposite direction, reducing the net effective mass and improving sensitivity while maintaining structural stability through the balanced configuration.
3Measurement precision
If the sensing frame minimizes the number of suspensions to reduce parasitic mass, then the sensitivity is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling flexures serve multiple functions: they suspend the sensing frame, allow anti-phase motion, transfer Coriolis torque, and provide structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate suspension elements needed, improving sensitivity while maintaining ease of manufacture through integrated 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
This design increases the sensitivity of angular velocity sensors by reducing the effective mass, allowing for easier integration with existing systems and flexibility in shape and configuration without degrading performance, while minimizing the number of suspensions and rejecting linear acceleration.
Implementation Method 1
The Coriolis force acts on the oscillating drive subsystem and generated force which is then transferred to the sense subsystem
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of coupling flexures connecting said sensing frame to the drive subsystem
Implementation Method 3
reduces effective inertia by allowing the rails and guiding arms to rotate around pivot points
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing frame is disclosed. The sensing frame includes a first rail and a second rail. The first and second rails are constrained to move along a first axis parallel to the first and second rails. The frame includes a base and at least two guiding arms for ensuring that the first rail and the second rail move in anti-phase fashion along the first axis. First and second guiding arms are flexibly coupled to the first rail and second rail. The first guiding arm is flexibly suspended to the base at first anchoring points for allowing rotation of the first guiding arm, and the second guiding arm is suspended to the base at a second anchoring point allowing rotation of the second guiding arm. The sensing frame includes a plurality of coupling flexures and a transducer for sensing motion of the first and second rails.