Vibrator Drive Circuit Synchronizing Resonance Frequencies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional angular velocity sensors with multiple vibrators face challenges in dynamically coupling resonance frequencies to share circuit configurations and reduce power consumption, as each vibrator requires a separate drive circuit and control circuit due to distinct resonance frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A vibrator drive circuit that includes a phase detector and capacitors with movable and fixed electrodes, allowing the resonance frequencies of multiple vibrators to be synchronized by adjusting the electrostatic force based on phase differences, enabling sharing of circuit configurations and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple vibrators are equipped with separate drive circuits to accommodate different resonance frequencies, then each vibrator can operate at its optimal resonance frequency, but the circuit scale and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple drive circuits into a single shared drive circuit that can simultaneously drive multiple vibrators with different resonance frequencies. The drive circuit includes multiple oscillation circuits that can generate different frequency signals, allowing one circuit to replace what would traditionally require separate circuits for each vibrator.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive circuit is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple vibrators with different resonance characteristics. The oscillation circuits can be selectively activated to match the resonance frequency of whichever vibrator needs driving, making the circuit universal rather than dedicated to a single frequency.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate control circuits are provided for synchronous detection of each vibrator, then accurate detection of Coriolis force can be achieved, but power consumption and circuit scale increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple synchronous detection circuits into a single control circuit that can perform detection for all vibrators. The control circuit selectively activates detection functions based on which vibrators are currently operating, consolidating what would be separate detection paths into one shared resource.
3Device complexity
If vibrators are dynamically coupled to coincide resonance frequencies, then circuit sharing becomes possible, but the coupling is extremely difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of trying to dynamically couple vibrators to make their resonance frequencies coincide (the conventional difficult approach), the patent inverts the approach by making the drive circuit adaptable to the vibrators' existing different resonance frequencies. The oscillation circuits are configured to generate signals at different frequencies to match each vibrator's natural resonance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of drive signal frequency to accommodate different vibrator resonance frequencies. The oscillation circuits are designed to generate drive signals at different frequencies, and the control circuit selectively activates appropriate oscillation circuits based on which vibrator needs to be driven at its specific resonance frequency.
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 solution allows for reduced circuit scale and power consumption by synchronizing the resonance frequencies of multiple vibrators, enhancing the sensitivity of angular velocity measurements while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor formed of a movable electrode provided in the vibrator and a fixed electrode provided so as to face the movable electrode, the output voltage being applied to the fixed electrode. The phase detector is configured to adjust the output voltage in accordance with the phase difference to change electrostatic force in the capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
A vibrator drive circuit is configured to drive a vibrator mass 3 in a prescribed vibration direction. The vibrator drive circuit includes a drive unit configured to drive a vibrator based on a reference signal SG1 of a predetermined frequency to cause the vibrator to vibrate in a vibration direction, a phase detector configured to detect a vibration waveform of the vibrator in the vibration direction and to output an output voltage Vcnt in accordance with a phase difference between reference signal SG1 and a vibration waveform thereof, and two capacitors each formed of a movable electrode provided in the vibrator and a fixed electrode provided to face the movable electrode, the output voltage Vcnt being applied to the fixed electrode. The phase detector is configured to adjust the output voltage Vcnt in accordance with the phase difference, thereby changing electrostatic force in each of the capacitors for controlling the phase difference to be 90 degrees.