Vibrator Element Mass Distribution for Temperature Drift

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing double T-shaped gyro elements face issues with temperature drift due to mass and positional imbalances in the weight layers formed by deposition methods, leading to frequency temperature characteristic deterioration when the deposition mask position deviates.

Innovation Solution

A vibrator element configuration with a pair of vibrating arms, where the first weight is spaced from the tip towards the base and the second weight is positioned between the first weight and the tip, with a mass ratio of the second weight being smaller than the first weight, effectively offsetting the negative and positive inclinations in temperature drift correlations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a weight layer is formed by deposition method using a deposition mask, then the resonance frequency of drive vibrating arms can be adjusted, but the installation position of the deposition mask may deviate causing mass imbalance and temperature drift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency adjustment precisionVSAvoidtemperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The weight layer is divided into multiple separate weights positioned at different locations along the drive vibrating arm. This segmentation allows each weight to be independently positioned and adjusted, compensating for deposition mask position deviations and maintaining mass balance even when the deposition process has variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different weights are provided at specific locations along the drive vibrating arm with different masses. The first weight is positioned closer to the base while the second weight is positioned closer to the tip, creating a non-uniform mass distribution that compensates for deposition mask position deviations and maintains frequency stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the deposition mask installation position deviates in the extension direction of drive vibrating arms, then the weight layer formation is affected, but the vibration balance of drive vibrating arms is broken causing frequency temperature characteristic deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight layer formationVSAvoidvibration balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The weight layer is segmented into multiple discrete weights positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows the system to tolerate deviations in deposition mask position because the individual weights can be positioned to maintain the required mass balance, even when the deposition process has variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The weights are positioned asymmetrically along the drive vibrating arm, with the first weight closer to the base and the second weight closer to the tip. This asymmetric positioning creates a mass distribution that compensates for deposition mask position deviations, maintaining vibration balance despite manufacturing variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 reduces the occurrence of temperature drift by balancing the mass and positional imbalances, maintaining the frequency stability of the gyro element even when the deposition mask position deviates.

Implementation Method 1

a first weight that is spaced from a tip of at least one vibrating arm toward the base portion and is provided in the at least one vibrating arm; and a second weight that is provided in a region between a tip of the first weight and the tip of the at least one vibrating arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMass balance:

Implementation Method 2

when a region where the first weight is provided is represented as a first region and a region between the tip of the first weight and the tip of the at least one vibrating arm is represented as a second region, an area of the first region is represented as A1 and a mass of the first weight is represented as B1, and an area of the second region is represented as A2 and a mass of the second weight is represented as B2, B1/A1>B2/A2 is established

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositional balance:

Data Source

PatentUS9546869B2Vibrator element, method of manufacturing vibrator element, vibrator, electronic device, electronic apparatus and moving body

Publication Date: 2017.01.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A vibrator element includes a pair of first and second drive vibrating arms that extend in opposite directions from a base portion; a first weight that is spaced from a tip of at least one of the first and second drive vibrating arms toward the base portion and is provided in a first region of the at least one of the drive vibrating arms; and a second weight that is provided in a second region that is a region between a tip of the first weight and the tip of the at least one of the drive vibrating arms. When an area of the first region is represented as A1, a mass of the first weight is represented as B1, an area of the second region is represented as A2, and a mass of the second weight is represented as B2, B1/A1>B2/A2 is established.