Vibratory Gyroscope Inertial Body Coupling for Angle Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional gyroscopes are large, heavy, expensive, and have high power consumption, making them unsuitable for miniaturization and high-performance applications, while existing vibratory gyroscopes using MEMS technology face issues with bias and drift errors that amplify when calculating rotation angles, making them inadequate for navigation systems.
Innovation Solution
A gyroscope with a ring-shaped elastic body and multiple inertial bodies connected by coupling springs, allowing direct measurement of rotation angles through orthogonal degenerate vibration modes, decoupling spring structures, and capacitive elements for precise angle detection, reducing error amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional gyroscopes (optical or rotating inertial body) are used, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device size, weight, and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical rotating inertial bodies with a vibratory MEMS structure that uses piezoelectric actuators to generate and detect vibrations. The gyroscope operates by detecting Coriolis force-induced vibrations in a resonating structure, eliminating the need for heavy rotating components while maintaining angular velocity detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses piezoelectric elements to create electrical copies or representations of mechanical vibrations and forces. The piezoelectric actuators generate vibrations that replicate the effects of traditional mechanical rotation, while piezoelectric sensors convert mechanical Coriolis forces into electrical signals for detection
2Volume of moving object
If vibration type gyroscope is used for navigation system, then device size is reduced, but bias error and drift error amplify when calculating rotation angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the piezoelectric sensor detects vibrations caused by Coriolis force, and this detection signal is fed back to the control system. The system uses this feedback to compensate for bias and drift errors in real-time, improving the accuracy of rotation angle calculations by continuously correcting measurement deviations
Solution Approach 2:
The gyroscope structure is designed to self-calibrate by utilizing its own vibrational characteristics. The resonating structure's natural frequency and mode shapes provide reference signals that enable the system to self-correct for errors, reducing dependency on external calibration and improving long-term reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If piezoelectric element is used for vibration generation and detection, then device integration is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the piezoelectric actuator and sensor into a single unified structure with the resonating element. The piezoelectric elements are directly bonded to the vibrating structure, merging multiple functions (vibration generation, vibration detection, and structural support) into one integrated component, which simplifies assembly and reduces the number of separate parts
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as actuators to generate driving vibrations, as sensors to detect Coriolis force-induced vibrations, and as structural components that are integral to the resonating structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture
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
The proposed gyroscope design improves performance by enabling direct angle measurement, reducing error amplification, and enhancing sensitivity, making it suitable for navigation systems with improved accuracy and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element serving as a driving vibration unit to be capable of generating vibrations
Implementation Method 2
a piezoelectric element serving as a sensor unit to be capable of detecting the vibrations
Implementation Method 3
detects energy coupling between vibrations perpendicular to each other according to the Coriolis force principle
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a gyroscope including: a first inertial body that is displaceable in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second inertial body that is displaceable in the first direction and the second direction; a third inertial body that is displaceable in the first direction and the second direction; a fourth inertial body that is displaceable in the first direction and the second direction; a first connection unit that supports the first inertial body; a second connection unit that supports the second inertial body; a third connection unit that supports the third inertial body; a fourth connection unit that supports the fourth inertial body; and a connection body that is provided among the first inertial body, the second inertial body, the third inertial body, and the fourth inertial body and connects the first inertial body, the second inertial body, the third inertial body, and the fourth inertial body.