Quartz Oscillator Thermal Isolation for Stable Resonator Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quartz crystal oscillators face challenges in maintaining stable oscillation characteristics due to heat transfer from the ambient temperature through conductive spacers, affecting the performance of the quartz crystal resonator.
Innovation Solution
An oscillator design incorporating a first resonator element, a package with a heater element, a control circuit, and a heat insulating member between the package and a secondary package to isolate the resonator from external heat, ensuring the resonator is maintained at a consistent temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductive path formed by metal plating is used to electrically couple the package body and the base substrate, then electrical coupling is achieved, but heat is easily transferred between the base substrate and the package body via the conductive path
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into multiple sections: an insulating section made of insulating material and a conductive section made of conductive material. This segmentation allows the spacer to simultaneously provide electrical coupling through the conductive section while maintaining thermal insulation through the insulating section, resolving the contradiction between electrical conductivity and thermal insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the spacer are assigned different material properties: the insulating section uses insulating material to block heat transfer, while the conductive section uses conductive material to enable electrical coupling. This local differentiation of material qualities allows the single component to fulfill both conflicting functions.
2Strength
If the package body is supported by spacers on the base substrate, then mechanical support is provided, but heat from the outside is transmitted to the quartz crystal resonator via the spacer
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is segmented into insulating and conductive sections, where the insulating section provides thermal blocking capability while the conductive section maintains electrical connectivity. This segmentation allows the spacer to support the package body mechanically while preventing heat transmission to the resonator.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is constructed as a composite structure combining insulating material and conductive material in specific sections. This composite approach enables the spacer to simultaneously achieve mechanical support, electrical coupling, and thermal insulation functions that single-material spacers cannot provide.
3Reliability
If metal plating is used to form the conductive path in the spacer, then electrical connection is established, but oscillation characteristics are easily affected by ambient temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into insulating and conductive sections, allowing electrical connection through the conductive section while the insulating section prevents ambient temperature from reaching the resonator. This segmentation protects oscillation characteristics from temperature-induced variations while maintaining necessary electrical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating section of the spacer acts as a thermal intermediary or barrier between the base substrate and the package body containing the resonator. This intermediary blocks heat flow paths while the conductive section maintains electrical connectivity, thereby stabilizing oscillation characteristics against ambient temperature changes.
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 effectively stabilizes the oscillation characteristics by minimizing the impact of ambient temperature on the quartz crystal resonator, allowing for precise temperature control and improved frequency stability.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat insulating member that is provided between the lid of the first package and the second package
Implementation Method 2
a heater element that is attached to the first package
Data Source
AI summary
An oscillator includes: a first resonator element, a first package that accommodates the first resonator element and includes a base and a lid, a heater element that is attached to the first package, a second package that accommodates the first package, a control circuit element that is bonded to a surface of the base of the first package on a side opposite to the lid and is configured to control the heater element, and a first heat insulating member that is provided between the lid of the first package and the second package.