Method and system of exciting a driving vibration in a vibrator

• US 20040182184A1
• Filed: 03/17/2004
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: NGK Insulators Limited, Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Yokoi, Shoji, Kobayashi, Yoshihiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,089,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/866.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/56 Turn-sensitive devices using vibrating masses, e.g. vibratory angular rate sensors based on Coriolis forces

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to reduce a rise time required for stabilizing the vibration state of a vibrator and the scale of a circuit needed for the activation of a driving vibration in exciting the driving vibration in the vibrator. A driving vibration is excited in a vibrator 1 for outputting a detection signal generated based on the driving vibration and a physical value, and the physical value is measured based on the detection signal. The driving vibration is excited using a circuit 9A for self-excited vibration having a CR oscillator 5A to generate an oscillation loop together with the vibrator 1. An activating signal of rectangular wave is applied on the vibrator 1 using the CR oscillator 5A to start the driving vibration in the vibrator 1.

Claims

1. A method of exciting a driving vibration in a vibrator for outputting a detection signal generated based on said driving vibration and a physical value and for measuring said physical value based on said detection signal, wherein said driving vibration is excited using a circuit for self-excited vibration comprising a CR oscillator:

said method comprising the step of;

applying an activating signal of rectangular wave on said vibrator using said CR oscillator to start said driving vibration.

2. A system of exciting a driving vibration in a vibrator for outputting a detection signal generated based on said driving vibration and a physical value and for measuring said physical value based on said detection signal,

said system comprising a circuit for self-excited vibration for exciting said driving vibration, said circuit comprising a CR oscillator for applying an activating signal of rectangular wave on said vibrator to start said driving vibration.

3. A method of exciting a driving vibration in a vibrator for outputting a detection signal generated based on said driving vibration and a physical value and for measuring said physical value based on said detection signal, wherein said driving vibration is excited using a circuit for self-excited vibration comprising a ring oscillator:

said method comprising the step of;

applying an activating signal of rectangular wave on said vibrator using said ring-oscillator to start said driving vibration.

4. A system of exciting a driving vibration in a vibrator for outputting a detection signal generated based on said driving vibration and a physical value and for measuring said physical value based on said detection signal,

said system comprising a circuit for self-excited vibration for exciting said driving vibration, said circuit comprising a ring oscillator for applying an activating signal of rectangular wave on said vibrator to start said driving vibration.