Tapered Lateral Surface for Crystal Vibrator Electrode Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing crystal vibrators face challenges in maintaining stable electrical connections due to acute angles and limited electrode extension directions, which can lead to electrode breakage and size constraints.
Innovation Solution
The use of an AT-cut crystal substrate with a specific orientation and tapered lateral surfaces allows for extension electrodes to extend at a gentler angle, improving electrical connection reliability while reducing the device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the extension electrode extends through the step formed by the vibration portion and peripheral portion at an acute angle, then the device size can be reduced, but the electrode may be broken and electrical connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a tapered lateral surface with a gradual inclination angle (α) between 0° and 45° instead of a vertical or acute-angled step. This curved/tapered transition allows the extension electrode to extend at a gentler angle, preventing electrode breakage while maintaining compact device dimensions. The tapered surface creates a smooth geometric transition that resolves the contradiction between size reduction and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the step formation by controlling the inclination angle (α) of the tapered lateral surface. By optimizing this angle to be between 0° and 45°, the electrode extension path is modified to achieve both compact size and reliable electrical connection, transforming the problematic acute angle configuration into a controlled gradual transition.
2Ease of manufacture
If the extension electrode is limited in extending direction due to acute angle constraints, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but device functionality and reliability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered lateral surface provides a gradual transition geometry that naturally guides the extension electrode at an optimal angle. This geometric design simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex electrode routing around acute angles, while simultaneously improving electrical connection reliability through the gentler extension path.
3Reliability
If the peripheral portion is made wider to accommodate electrode extension, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered lateral surface allows the extension electrode to extend diagonally through the step region rather than requiring a wide horizontal peripheral portion. This vertical-diagonal extension path through the tapered surface reduces the horizontal footprint of the device while maintaining reliable electrical connection, resolving the contradiction between compact size and connection reliability.
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 configuration enhances the reliability of electrical connections and allows for a smaller crystal vibrator design without compromising electrode stability.
Implementation Method 1
a crystal vibrator that uses vibration in a thickness shear mode as main vibration is widely used
Data Source
AI summary
A crystal vibrator includes an AT-cut crystal substrate with a vibration portion having a principal surface and a peripheral portion surrounding and thinner than the vibration portion. An excitation electrode is formed on the principal surface and an extension electrode is electrically connected to the excitation electrode. The vibration portion has a first short-edge side lateral surface that abuts the peripheral portion at an acute angle and a tapered lateral surface adjacent to the first short-edge side lateral surface and inclined with respect to the X axis in the XZ′ plane. The tapered lateral surface abuts the peripheral portion at an angle that is greater than the angle defined by the first short-edge side lateral surface. The extension electrode extends from the excitation electrode through the tapered lateral surface to a first short-edge side in a longitudinal direction parallel to the Z′ axis.