Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a substrate, first and second torsion beams, first and second detection frames, first and second detection electrodes, first and second link beams, and an inertial mass body. The first and second torsion beams are distorted around the first and second torsion axes. The first and second detection frames are rotated about the first and second torsion axes. The first and second detection electrodes detect an angle formed between the substrate and each of the first and second detection frames. The first link beam is on a first axis located at a position shifted from a position of the first torsion axis to one end side of the first detection frame along a direction crossing the first torsion axis. The second link beam is on a second axis located at a position shifted from a position of the second torsion axis in a direction identical to the direction of shift from the position of the first torsion axis.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a substrate, and a plurality of acceleration detection units supported by the substrate. Each of the plurality of acceleration detection units has a torsion beam supported by the substrate and distorted about a torsion axis line; a detection frame supported by the torsion beam so as to be rotatable about the torsion axis line; a detection electrode formed on the substrate so as to face the detection frame; a link beam supported by the detection frame at a position on an axis line deviated from the torsion axis line when seen in plane; and an inertia mass body supported by the link beam so as to be displaceable in a thickness direction of the substrate. The plurality of acceleration detection units include first and second acceleration detection units. The first and second acceleration detection units are disposed side by side along a direction of the first torsion axis line.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes a substrate, first and second torsion beams, first and second detection frames, first and second detection electrodes, first and second link beams, and an inertial mass body. The first and second torsion beams are distorted around the first and second torsion axes. The first and second detection frames are rotated about the first and second torsion axes. The first and second detection electrodes detect an angle formed between the substrate and each of the first and second detection frames. The first link beam is on a first axis located at a position shifted from a position of the first torsion axis to one end side of the first detection frame along a direction crossing the first torsion axis. The second link beam is on a second axis located at a position shifted from a position of the second torsion axis in a direction identical to the direction of shift from the position of the first torsion axis.

Abstract: First and second detection frames are supported by a substrate to be rotatable about first and second torsion axes. A first link beam is connected to the first detection frame on an axis located at a position moved from a position of the first torsion axis in a first direction crossing the first torsion axis and directed to one end side of the first detection frame. A second link beam is connected to the second detection frame on an axis located at a position shifted from a position of the second torsion axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction. An inertia mass body is displaceable in a thickness direction of the substrate by being linked with the first and second detection frames by the first and second link beams, respectively. This constitution makes it possible to obtain a highly precise acceleration sensor hardly influenced by disturbances.

Abstract: First and second detection frames are supported by a substrate to be rotatable about first and second torsion axes. A first link beam is connected to the first detection frame on an axis located at a position moved from a position of the first torsion axis in a first direction crossing the first torsion axis and directed to one end side of the first detection frame. A second link beam is connected to the second detection frame on an axis located at a position shifted from a position of the second torsion axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction. An inertia mass body is displaceable in a thickness direction of the substrate by being linked with the first and second detection frames by the first and second link beams, respectively. This constitution makes it possible to obtain a highly precise acceleration sensor hardly influenced by disturbances.

Abstract: According to one of the aspects of the present invention, a vibratory gyroscope includes a pair of proof masses having the same inertia mass, each of the proof masses having a first axis. The proof masses are arranged symmetrically in relation to a second axis. Also, the vibratory gyroscope includes a pair of drive elements, each of which has a driving axis extending in parallel to the second axis and supports respective one of the proof masses to allow oscillation thereof about the first axis. Further, the vibratory gyroscope includes a supporting element with an anchor element for supporting the drive elements to allow oscillation thereof about the driving axes. Finally, the vibratory gyroscope includes a main body having an inner space for receiving the supporting element, in which the main body is in contact with the anchor element of the supporting element and spaced away from the proof masses and the drive elements.

Abstract: A rollover sensing device includes a detecting unit that includes at least a pair of acceleration sensors which detect an acceleration in an vertical direction, the pair of acceleration sensors being disposed closer to each other on a same board in a lateral direction of a vehicle, an arithmetic processing unit that calculates an angular acceleration and an angular velocity of the vehicle on a basis of an output signal from the detecting unit, and a rollover determining unit that determines whether or not a rollover of the vehicle occurs on a basis of an arithmetic result obtained by the arithmetic processing unit.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes first and second fixed electrodes on a substrate, and a movable electrode located above the first and second fixed electrodes, with respect to the substrate, and facing them. The movable electrode is elastically supported on the substrate by a first elastic supporting body and is movable. A mass, which is elastically supported on the substrate by a second elastic supporting body, moves in response to an acceleration in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. A linking portion links the movable electrode and the mass at a position spaced from an axis of movement of the movable electrode by a distance. Acceleration is measured based on changes in a first capacitance between the first fixed electrode and the movable electrode and a second capacitance between the second fixed electrode and the movable electrode. Thus, a highly impact resistant and highly reliable acceleration sensor is obtained.

Abstract: An acceleration sensor includes first and second fixed electrodes on a substrate, and a movable electrode located above the first and second fixed electrodes facing them. The movable electrode is elastically supported on the substrate by a first elastic supporting body and is movable. A mass, which is elastically supported on the substrate by a second elastically supporting body moves in response to an acceleration in a direction perpendicular to the substrate. A linking portion links the movable electrode and the mass at a position spaced from an axis of movement of the movable electrode by a distance. Acceleration is measured based on changes in a first capacitance between the first fixed electrode and the movable electrode and a second capacitance between the second fixed electrode and the movable electrode. Thus, a high impact resistant and highly reliable acceleration sensor is obtained.

Abstract: First and second fixed electrodes provided on a substrate, a movable electrode which is provided above the first and second fixed electrodes facing against them, and is elastically supported on the substrate by a first elastic supporting body and is swingable, a mass which is elastically supported on the substrate by a second elastically supporting body and is movable in response to an acceleration in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, and a linking portion for linking the movable electrode and the mass at a position away from a swing axis of the movable electrode by a predetermined distance are provided. An acceleration is measured based on changes in a first capacitance provided by the first fixed electrode and the movable electrode and a second capacitance provided by the second fixed electrode and the movable electrode. Thus, a high impact resistant and highly reliable acceleration sensor can be obtained.

Abstract: A sensitive angular velocity sensor is provided without increasing an inter-electrode gap for inducing a torsional vibration.

Abstract: A conventional angular rate sensor has a problem that the displacement amplitude of a drive gimbal frame is limited due to the Pulled-in phenomenon where the drive gimbal frame is attached to drive electrodes, thereby decreasing its sensor sensitivity. In an angular rate sensor, a drive frame and a driven frame are separately provided. A bending oscillation of the drive frame is transmitted to the driven frame through link beams, causing the rotational oscillation of the driven frame. The displacement amplitude of a rotational oscillation of the driven frame is not limited to provide high sensor sensitivity.

Abstract: A sensitive angular velocity sensor is provided without increasing an inter-electrode gap for inducing a torsional vibration.

Abstract: A micro-mirror device includes a mirror forming substrate on which a mirror is disposed. A pair of torsion beams are disposed on opposing sides of the mirror forming substrate. An anchor projects from a supporting substrate, supporting the ends of the torsion beams. A driving frame surrounds at least one side of the torsion beams and is connected to the mirror forming substrate through a link beam. A drive force generator drives the driving frame.

Abstract: A movable electrode structure is formed in a single sensor element, and this movable electrode structure can be displaced along two axes within a plane, and one axis outside the plane. A detecting fixed electrode is provided via a constant space with each of these detecting axes, and a change in capacitances between the movable electrodes and the fixed electrodes is detected. As a result, the acceleration components of the two axes, or the three axes are detected. The dynamic characteristic of the sensor is controlled based on the mass of the variable electrode, the structure and length of the beam for supporting the movable electrode, and also the ratio of the length to the section of this beam.

Abstract: A vibrating type angular velocity sensor is comprised of: a driving vibrator element 8 supported by a first beam 9 fixed by an anchor portion 3 on a substrate, and driven by a driving comb electrode 12 along an X-axial direction parallel to the substrate; a detecting vibrator element 10 supported by a second beam 11 on the driving vibrator element and being vibratable along a Y-axial direction; and detection electrodes 14 and 15 of an electric capacitance provided with separated from the detecting vibrator element, and the detection electrodes along the X-axial direction, whereby an angular velocity while setting a Z-axial direction perpendicular to the substrate as an axis is detected. Furthermore, the driving vibrator element is fixed on the substrate by way of two sets of the anchor portions arranged at positions symmetrical to each other with respect to the detecting vibrator element.