Oscillation Circuit Terminal Switching for Reliable Resonator Inspection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oscillation circuits for resonators face reliability issues during inspection due to the complexity of managing multiple terminals for power supply and signal connections, leading to potential connection failures and reduced inspection reliability.

Innovation Solution

The proposed oscillation circuit design simplifies terminal management by using a single terminal for both power supply and inspection signals, with switching units to control electrical connections between terminals, reducing the number of terminals needed and minimizing the risk of connection failures, and incorporates transistors for easy control of electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple terminals are used for power supply and inspection signals, then the functionality is complete, but the connection complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection reliabilityVSAvoidterminal connection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power supply terminal and inspection signal terminal into a single shared terminal. The oscillation circuit includes a power supply terminal that receives both power supply signals and inspection signals, eliminating the need for separate terminals. This merging reduces the number of connection points from multiple terminals to a single terminal, thereby reducing connection complexity and improving inspection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply terminal is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a power supply terminal and an inspection signal terminal. By making the terminal universal, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated inspection terminals, reducing the total number of terminals and their associated connections, thus improving reliability while maintaining complete functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated inspection terminals are used, then inspection functionality is ensured, but the number of terminals increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection functionalityVSAvoidnumber of terminals

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply terminal is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a power supply terminal and an inspection signal terminal. By making the terminal universal, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated inspection terminals, reducing the total number of terminals and their associated connections, thus improving reliability while maintaining complete functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the power supply terminal and inspection signal terminal into a single shared terminal. The oscillation circuit includes a power supply terminal that receives both power supply signals and inspection signals, eliminating the need for separate terminals. This merging reduces the number of connection points from multiple terminals to a single terminal, thereby reducing connection complexity and improving inspection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9438167B2Oscillation circuit, oscillator, manufacturing method of oscillator, electronic device, and moving object

Publication Date: 2016.09.06 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An oscillation circuit includes: an oscillation unit which includes a first terminal and a second terminal connected to a resonator, a third terminal, a fourth terminal to which at least one of a power supply potential and a signal for inspecting the resonator is applied, a first switching unit which switches modes of electrical connection between the first terminal and the third terminal, and a second switching unit which switches modes of electrical connection between the second terminal and the fourth terminal.