Vibrating Reed Or String Type (e.g., Tuning Fork) Patents (Class 331/156)
  • Patent number: 8742854
    Abstract: A periodic signal generator is configured to generate high frequency signals characterized by relatively low temperature coefficients of frequency (TCF). A microelectromechanical resonator, such as concave bulk acoustic resonator (CBAR) supporting capacitive and piezoelectric transduction, may be geometrically engineered as a signal generator that produces two periodic signals having unequal resonant frequencies with unequal temperature coefficients. Circuitry is also provided for combining the two periodic signals using a mixer to thereby yield a high frequency low-TCF periodic difference signal at an output of the periodic signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Seungbae Lee, Harmeet Bhugra, Ashwin Samarao
  • Patent number: 8742872
    Abstract: In a MEMS device having a substrate 1, a sealing membrane 7, and a movable portion 3 of beam and an electrode 5 which have a region wherein they overlap with a gap in perpendicular to a substrate 1 surface, a first cavity 9 is on the side of the movable portion 3 in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and a second cavity is the other cavity, and an inner surface a of a side wall A in contact with the electrode 5, of the first cavity 9, is positioned more inside than an inner surface b of a side wall B in contact with the electrode 5, of the second cavity 10, in the direction parallel to the substrate surface, such that the movable portion 3 does not collide with the electrode 5 when mechanical stress is applied from outside to the sealing membrane 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Iwasaki, Keiji Onishi, Kunihiko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8732938
    Abstract: An improved method of packaging a sensor is provided. The method includes the step of affixing a tuning fork to a platform. The tuning fork includes tines comprising one or more surfaces, with each tine further comprising an electrode and a piezoelectric material. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is affixed to the platform. Electrical communication between the ASIC and the electrode of each tine is established for providing stimulus to the tuning fork and for receiving a response signal from the tuning fork. A protective layer is applied to cover the platform and a portion of the tuning fork while maintaining a portion of a surface of each tine free from the protective layer such that the surface can displace the fluid in contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: MEAS France, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Oleg Kolosov, Leonid Matsiev, John F. Varni, G. Cameron Dales, Olaf Ludtke, Dirk Wullner, Andreas Buhrdorf, Heiko Dobrinski
  • Patent number: 8736152
    Abstract: An exemplary tuning-fork type piezoelectric vibrating piece has a rectangular base having upper and lower main surfaces and a pair of vibrating arms extending longitudinally from the base. The vibrating arms also have the upper and lower main surfaces. Each main surface of each vibrating arm defines a respective vibrating-arm groove extending longitudinally into the base. Each main surface of the base has at least one respective step-side surface situated outboard, in an X-axis direction, of each vibrating-arm groove. Each step-side surface is parallel with the respective vibrating-arm groove. A first electrode is situated on the vibrating-arm grooves of the first vibrating arm and on the at least one respective step-side surface on each main surface. A second electrode is situated on the vibrating-arm grooves of the second vibrating arm and on the at least one respective step-side surface on each main surface. The first and second electrodes are energized with different electrical polarities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Iwai
  • Patent number: 8723611
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an improved structure for a microelectromechanical (MEMS) resonator. According to a first aspect of the invention, the resonator structure in accordance with the invention has a characteristic frequency of oscillation in combination with a given mechanical amplitude, whereby to set said mechanical amplitude, in the resonator structure, by way anchoring at an anchor point located at a given point of the resonator structure substrate, a first element is adapted oscillatory and a second element is adapted oscillatory in such a manner that at least one of said first element and of said second element are arranged to oscillate synchronously with regard to said anchor point, whereby the location of said anchor point is selected to be substantially within the joint projection defined by the dimensions of said first and said second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Electronics Oy
    Inventor: Ville Kaajakari
  • Patent number: 8692632
    Abstract: A resonator element includes a base portion in which a pair of notches is formed, a pair of resonating arms which is extended in parallel from one end side of a first portion of the base portion. The resonating arm is provided with a bottomed elongated groove which has an opening along at least one principal surface of both principal surfaces and a weight portion which is formed at the tip end side of the resonating arm on the opposite side of a root of the resonating arm attached to the base portion and which has a larger width than on the root side. The weight portion is formed so that the proportion of the length of the weight portion to the length from the root to the tip end side in a longitudinal direction of the resonating arm is within a range of 35% to 41%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akinori Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140091871
    Abstract: A MEMS element includes: a substrate; a first electrode formed above the substrate; and a second electrode having a support portion and a beam portion, the support portion being formed above the substrate, the beam portion extending from the support portion, being formed in a state of having a gap between the first electrode and the beam portion, and being capable of vibrating in a thickness direction of the substrate. The width of the beam portion decreases with distance from a base of the beam portion toward a tip of the beam portion. The central length of the beam portion is larger than the lengths of ends of the beam portion. The width of the base of the beam portion is larger than the central length of the beam portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuji Kihara
  • Patent number: 8674775
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device includes a resonator anchored to a substrate. The resonator includes a first strain gradient statically deflecting a released portion of the resonator in an out-of-plane direction with respect to the substrate. The resonator includes a first electrode anchored to the substrate. The first electrode includes a second strain gradient of a released portion of the first electrode. The first electrode is configured to electrostatically drive the resonator in a first mode that varies a relative amount of displacement between the resonator and the first electrode. The resonator may include a resonator anchor anchored to the substrate. The first electrode may include an electrode anchor anchored to the substrate in close proximity to the resonator anchor. The electrode anchor may be positioned relative to the resonator anchor to substantially decouple dynamic displacements of the resonator relative to the electrode from changes to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Mehrnaz Motiee, Emmanuel P. Quevy, David H. Bernstein
  • Patent number: 8663487
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the provision of a method for manufacturing a crystal oscillator manufacturing method that can achieve a highly precise fine adjustment without applying unnecessary external force to a crystal oscillator, and that can adjust a plurality of crystal oscillators in a collective manner. More specifically, the invention provides a method for manufacturing a crystal oscillator includes a first etching step for forming a prescribed external shape, an electrode forming step for forming an electrode at least in a portion of a surface of the external shape, a leakage amount measuring step for measuring leakage amount associated with leakage vibration of the external shape, and a second etching step for etching the external shape by an amount that is determined based on a measurement result of the leakage amount measuring step so as to adjust balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiko Katoh, Tohru Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 8665032
    Abstract: A flexural mode resonator element includes: a vibration arm extending from a base end toward a tip; a base joined to the vibration arm at the base end; and supporting arms arranged on both sides of the base in a width direction perpendicular to an extending direction of the vibration arm and joined to the base, wherein the base has a reduced cross-section portion disposed along the extending direction of the vibration arm between a joint portion with the vibration arm and a joint portion with the supporting arms, and the reduced cross-section portion is disposed so as to satisfy a relationship 2×W1?L?6×W1 where L is the length of the reduced cross-section portion in the extending direction of the vibration arm, and W1 is the arm width of the vibration arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Tanaya, Yoshiyuki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140055206
    Abstract: A resonator element capable of improving impact resistance is provided. A quartz crystal resonator element is a resonator element formed by etching a Z plate which is cut at predetermined angles with respect to the crystal axes of a quartz crystal. The quartz crystal resonator element includes a base, a pair of resonating arms extending from the base in the Y-axis direction, and a positive X-axis notch and a negative X-axis notch formed by notching the base in the X-axis direction. The positive X-axis notch is formed by notching the base from the negative side of the X axis towards the positive side so that the width of the positive X-axis notch increases as it approaches the outer circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akinori YAMADA, Shuhei YOSHIDA
  • Patent number: 8653899
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator, an oscillator, an electronic device and a ratio timepiece are provided which are capable of increasing a capacitance C0 while achieving miniaturization and cost reduction. The piezoelectric vibrator includes a base substrate, a lid substrate, a piezoelectric vibrating reed on which an excitation electrode is formed, and external electrodes. An electrode pattern for capacitance adjustment, which extends along a routing electrode, is provided extending from a routing electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: SII Crystal Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Aratake
  • Patent number: 8638180
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric vibrator is provided. The piezoelectric vibrator includes: a package in which a first substrate and a second substrate are superimposed so as to form a cavity therebetween; extraction electrodes which are formed on the first substrate so as to be extracted from the inner side of the cavity to an outer edge of the first substrate; a piezoelectric vibrating reed which is sealed in the cavity and electrically connected to the extraction electrodes at an inner side of the cavity; and outer electrodes which are formed on an outer surface of the package so as to be electrically connected to the extraction electrodes at the outer side of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: SII Crystal Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Aratake
  • Patent number: 8633775
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric vibrator of the invention, the piezoelectric vibrator including a tuning fork type piezoelectric vibrating reed including a pair of vibration arm portions, a package that accommodates the piezoelectric vibrating reed, and a pair of regulation films that is formed along a longitudinal direction of the vibration arm portions corresponding to each of the pair of vibration arm portions, the piezoelectric vibrator being capable of regulating a degree of vacuum in the package more than a certain level by irradiating the regulation films with a laser to evaporate a part of the regulation films. The method includes a gettering process of irradiating a laser in symmetrical positions via a center axis of the pair of vibration arm portions in the pair of regulation films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: SII Crystal Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Yumi Yamaguchi, Kazuyoshi Sugama
  • Publication number: 20140002202
    Abstract: A vibratory device includes a vibrator including a beam, which can be displaced with respect to a substrate, movable electrodes each having a comb-like shape, the comb teeth extending from the beam, and stationary electrodes fixed to the substrate and each having a comb-like shape, each of the comb teeth being inserted between the comb-like electrodes of the movable electrodes, an oscillator circuit adapted to make the vibrator oscillate, and a bias circuit adapted to apply a direct-current bias voltage between the movable electrodes and the stationary electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20140002203
    Abstract: This invention provides an extremely accurate way to characterize the Young's modulus of thin film materials with thicknesses in the nanometer range. It takes advantage of a recently developed high Q silicon Young's modulus resonator (YMR), which has a record high quality factor of about fifty million in operation at temperatures below 10 degrees Kelvin (10K). Because of the high Q of the YMR, the temperature stability of the YMR's resonance frequency below 1K, and the extremely high degree of vibration isolation inherent in the inventive design, the relative resolution of the resonant frequency is typically in 2×10?7. This is enough to resolve a resonant frequency shift after a deposition of a thin film onto the sensitive part of the resonator, and to compute the Young's modulus of thin film materials of even a few monolayers thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: US Gov't Represented by Secretary of the Navy Chief of Naval Research Office of Counsel ONR/NRL
    Inventors: Xiao Liu, Thomas H. Metcalf
  • Patent number: 8581669
    Abstract: A vibrator element includes a base section, vibration arms, and excitation electrodes provided to the respective vibration arms, the excitation electrodes each include a first electrode disposed on a principal surface side of the vibration arm, a second electrode disposed so as to be opposed to the first electrode, and a piezoelectric body extending between the first electrode and the second electrode, and ITO is used as at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Funakawa, Takashi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8558628
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrating piece includes a pair of vibration arm portions that is placed in a row in a width direction; a base portion to which proximal end sides in the pair of vibration arm portions in an extending direction are connected; and weight metal films that are formed on outer surfaces of the vibration arm portions, wherein the weight metal films are formed in positions that avoid regions of tip portions in the vibration arm portions in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: SII Crystal Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8552805
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator includes a tuning fork type piezoelectric vibrating reed including a pair of vibration arm portions; a package that accommodates the piezoelectric vibrating reed; and a getter material that is formed along the longitudinal direction of the vibration arm portion in an inner portion of the package, wherein a cross-sectional area of a middle portion of the getter material adjacent to a center portion of the longitudinal direction of the vibration arm portion is greater than that of an end portion of the getter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Junya Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20130249642
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes a body, a movable mass, elastically connected to the body and movable in accordance with a degree of freedom, and a driving device, coupled to the movable mass and configured to maintain the movable mass in oscillation at a steady working frequency in a normal operating mode. The microelectromechanical device moreover includes a start-up device, which is activatable in a start-up operating mode and is configured to compare a current oscillation frequency of a first signal correlated to oscillation of the movable mass with a reference frequency, and for deciding, on the basis of the comparison between the current oscillation frequency and the reference frequency, whether to supply to the movable mass a forcing signal packet so as to transfer energy to the movable mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandra Maria Rizzo Piazza Roncoroni, Carlo Caminada, Luciano Prandi
  • Patent number: 8540550
    Abstract: A glass substrate polishing method having polishing processes for polishing a glass substrate surface while supplying a polishing agent. The glass substrate polishing method is characterized in that the polishing processes include a first polishing process in which the surface of the glass substrate is polished using a first polishing pad made from a polishing cloth and a second polishing process in which the surface of the glass substrate is polished using a second polishing pad made from urethane foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Youichi Fujihira, Kazuyoshi Sugama
  • Publication number: 20130242710
    Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric vibrating piece including: a piezoelectric plate that includes a pair of vibrating arm portions, and a base portion which integrally fixes the base end portions of the pair of vibrating arm portions along a length direction; excitation electrodes which are formed on the vibrating arm portions and vibrate the vibrating arm portions; mounting electrodes which are formed on the base portion and mount the piezoelectric plate on external portions using a joining member; and leading-out electrodes which connect the excitation electrodes and the mounting electrodes, in which the leading-out electrodes are formed by folding back several times between the excitation electrodes and the mounting electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Daishi ARIMATSU
  • Patent number: 8525606
    Abstract: A vibrator element includes: a base portion; and three vibrating arms that extend from the base portion in the Y axis direction. The vibrating arms are arranged in the X axis direction, include excitation electrodes on a principal face, and vibrate in the Z axis direction. When an arm width of the vibrating arm, which is located at the center of the arrangement, in the X axis direction is W1, each arm width of the other vibrating arms in the X axis direction is W, an electrode width of the excitation electrode of the vibrating arm, which is located at the center of the arrangement, in the X axis direction is A1, and each electrode width of the excitation electrodes of the other vibrating arms in the X axis direction is A, 1.35<W1/W<1.90 and 1.35<A1/A<1.90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8516669
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piezoelectric vibrating reed from a wafer, the piezoelectric vibrating reed including a pair of vibration arm portions that is arranged in parallel, a base portion that integrally fixes proximal end sides of the pair of vibration arm portions, and groove portions which are formed on both surfaces of the pair of vibration arm portions along the longitudinal direction of the vibration arm portions, respectively, the method including a protective film forming process of forming a protective film in an area other than a position corresponding to the groove portions in the wafer; and a groove portion forming process of forming the groove portions by using the protective film as a mask to perform dry etching with respect to the wafer, wherein, in the protective film forming process, a first protective film forming process of forming the protective film of a predetermined thickness with respect to a first surface of the wafer and a second protective film forming process of forming the pro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Minegishi
  • Patent number: 8514029
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator includes a base substrate and a lid substrate which are bonded to each other with a cavity formed therebetween; an external electrode that is formed on a lower surface of the base substrate; an internal electrode that is formed on an upper surface of the base substrate so as to be accommodated in the cavity; a through electrode which is formed so as to pass through the base substrate and electrically connect the external electrode with the internal electrode; a piezoelectric vibrating reed which is accommodated in the cavity in a state of being electrically connected to the internal electrode; and a getter material that is formed in the cavity, the getter material being formed of chromium or a metallic material consisting of chromium as a main ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Junya Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20130176833
    Abstract: In a quartz crystal unit, the unit comprising a quartz crystal resonator having a base portion, and first and second vibrational arms connected to the base portion, at least one groove being formed in at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms, a length of the base portion being less than 0.5 mm and an overall length of the quartz crystal resonator being less than 2.1 mm, at least one mounting arm protruding from the base portion and being formed between the first and second vibrational arms, the at least one mounting arm extending in a common direction with the first and second vibrational arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: PIEDEK TECHNICAL LABORATORY
    Inventor: PIEDEK TECHNICAL LABORATORY
  • Publication number: 20130176831
    Abstract: In a quartz crystal unit, the unit comprising a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator having a quartz crystal tuning fork base, and first and second quartz crystal tuning fork arms, each of the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork arms having a length, and a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface, at least one groove being formed in a central linear portion of at least one of the first and second main surfaces of each of the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork arms and formed continuously in the central linear portion along the length of the corresponding one of the first and second quartz crystal tuning fork arms, an overall length of the quartz crystal tuning fork resonator being less than 2.1 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: PIEDEK TECHNICAL LABORATORY
    Inventor: PIEDEK TECHNICAL LABORATORY
  • Publication number: 20130176832
    Abstract: A quartz crystal unit comprising: a quartz crystal resonator having an overall length less than 2.1 mm and a base portion including a length L1 less than 0.5 mm, and first and second vibrational arms connected to the base portion, at least one groove being formed in a central linear portion of at least one of opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms so that a width of the at least one groove is less than a spaced-apart distance between the first and second vibrational arms, the at least one groove being formed continuously in the central linear portion along the length of the corresponding one of the first and second vibrational arms, the quartz crystal resonator being housed in a case, a lid being connected to the case to cover an open end of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: PIEDEK TECHNICAL LABORATORY
    Inventor: PIEDEK TECHNICAL LABORATORY
  • Patent number: 8482358
    Abstract: A crystal resonator element include a pair of resonating arms extending from a base, the resonating arms includes a groove, a slope portion is formed in a connection portion of the resonating arms to the base so that a distance between the groove and the outer edge of each of the resonating arms increases as it approaches the base from the resonating arms, and a non-electrode region which extends over a range of areas from a connection portion connected to a first side surface formed along the longitudinal direction of the groove and a connection portion connected to a second side surface facing the first side surface with a bottom portion disposed there between and in which excitation electrodes are not formed is provided in the groove in at least a part of the bottom portion positioned in the slope portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akinori Yamada
  • Patent number: 8471643
    Abstract: Electromechanical systems resonator structures, devices, circuits, and systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an oscillator includes an active component and a passive component connected in a feedback configuration. The passive component includes one or more contour mode resonators (CMR). A CMR includes a piezoelectric layer disposed between a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The conductive layers include an input electrode and an output electrode. The passive component is configured to output a first resonant frequency and a second resonant frequency, which is an odd integer harmonic of the first resonant frequency. The active component is configured to output a signal including the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency. This output signal can be a substantially square wave signal, which can serve as a clock in various applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonghae Kim, Je-Hsiung Lan, Changhan Yun, Chi Shun Lo, Matthew Nowak
  • Patent number: 8471641
    Abstract: A MEMS oscillator includes a resonator body and primary and secondary drive electrodes to electrostatically drive the resonator body. Primary and secondary sense electrodes sense motion of the resonator body. The primary and secondary drive and sense electrodes are configured to be used together during start-up of the MEMS oscillator. The secondary drive electrode and secondary sense electrode are disabled after start-up, while the primary drive and sense electrodes remain enabled to maintain oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Emmanuel P. Quevy, Manu Seth, Mehrnaz Motiee
  • Publication number: 20130147568
    Abstract: An inter-digital bulk acoustic resonator including a resonating structure, one or more input electrodes, one or more output electrodes, a substrate, and a supporting structure disposed on the substrate is provided. The resonating structure includes one or more resonating beams and a coupling beam. The resonating beams are connected at opposite two sides of the coupling beam respectively. The input electrodes and the output electrodes are arranged among the resonating beams in interlace. The input electrodes, the output electrodes, and the resonating beams are parallel to each other. Two ends of the coupling beam are connected to the supporting structure, such that the resonating structure is supported on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Tsun-Che Huang, Feng-Chia Hsu, Pin Chang, Chin-Hung Wang
  • Patent number: 8460561
    Abstract: The present invention provides a crystal oscillator piece in which the cross section of its vibrating tine, while not symmetrical in shape, has a principal axis that is oriented parallel to an X axis to suppress the generation of leakage vibration, and a method for manufacturing such a crystal oscillator piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akiko Katoh
  • Patent number: 8432232
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a substrate, a cavity formed above the substrate, a first vibrator contained in the cavity, and a second vibrator contained in the cavity and having a natural frequency different from that of the first vibrator. The first vibrator and the second vibrator are preferably arranged along a long side of the cavity having a rectangular shape in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shogo Inaba
  • Patent number: 8432233
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical resonator suspended from an anchor. The resonator has: a length; a first width at a first distance from the anchor; and a second width at a second, greater distance from the anchor. The second width is greater than the first width, and the width of the resonator tapers gradually along at least part of its length from the second width to the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Casper Van Der Avoort
  • Patent number: 8427250
    Abstract: The piezoelectric vibrator includes: a package in which a first substrate and a second substrate are superimposed so as to form a cavity therebetween; outer electrodes which are formed on an outer surface of the first substrate; inner electrodes which are formed on the first substrate so as to be accommodated in the cavity; penetration electrodes which are formed so as to penetrate through the first substrate so that the outer electrodes and the inner electrodes are electrically connected; and a piezoelectric vibrating reed which is sealed in the cavity and electrically connected to the inner electrodes at the inner side of the cavity. The first substrate and the second substrate are bonded by a bonding film that is formed of a low-melting-point glass, and the bonding film is heated to a predetermined bonding temperature when the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together, and is formed by being heated to a temperature higher than the bonding temperature before the bonding is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Aratake
  • Patent number: 8421546
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator according to the invention includes a base substrate and a lid substrate which are connected to each other and have a cavity formed therebetween; a piezoelectric vibrating reed that is mounted on the base substrate in the cavity; an external electrode that is formed on a lower surface of the base substrate; and a through electrode which is formed so as to pass through the base substrate, maintain the airtightness in the cavity, and electrically connect the piezoelectric vibrating reed with the external electrode. The through electrode is formed by a press molding by a forming mold having a pin, and includes a through hole of a taper-shaped section, in which a taper angle is in the range of 15° or more and 20° or less, and a conductive paste that is hardened after being filled in the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Sugama, Kyoshi Aratake, Masashi Numata
  • Patent number: 8416027
    Abstract: A vibrator element includes: a base having a mounting surface; a vibrating arm which is extended from the base and has a first surface and a second surface that faces the first surface and is positioned on the mounting surface side, and which performs flexural vibration in a direction normal to the first and second surfaces; and a laminated structure which is provided on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the vibrating arm, and which includes at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer disposed between the first and second electrodes, in which the vibrating arm is warped toward the mounting surface side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruo Takizawa
  • Patent number: 8407870
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a high-quality piezoelectric vibrator in which reliable air-tightness of the inside of the cavity is maintained, and stable conduction between the piezoelectric vibrating reed and the outer electrodes is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Masashi Numata, Kazuyoshi Sugama, Hiroshi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8410861
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator including a base substrate and a lid substrate which are bonded to each other with a cavity formed therebetween; a piezoelectric vibrating reed which has a pair of vibration arm portions extending in parallel, a pair of excitation electrodes that vibrate the pair of vibration arm portions, and a mount electrode that is electrically connected to the pair of excitation electrodes, the piezoelectric vibrating reed being mounted on the base substrate within the cavity via the mount electrode; an insulation film which is formed on the piezoelectric vibrating reed so as to cover the excitation electrodes; and a getter material formed of the metallic material that is formed on any of the base substrate or the lid substrate so as to be arranged within the cavity and improve a degree of vacuum within the cavity by being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Junya Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20130077449
    Abstract: To provide a terminal connecting structure for an electronic component which achieves prevention of an increase in the electric resistance value between a through electrode and an electrode connected thereto and ensuring preferable conductive performance, a package, a piezoelectric vibrator, an oscillator, an electronic instrument, and a radio timepiece having a substrate of this terminal connecting structure for the electronic component. There is provided a terminal connecting structure for an electronic component including; a through electrode penetrating through a base substrate: and an external electrode electrically connected to the through electrode, wherein an outer end surface of the through electrode is formed with a coating film of a conductive oxide which covers the outer end surface, and the through electrode and the external electrode are electrically connected via the film of the conductive oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Seiko Instruments Inc.
  • Patent number: 8395462
    Abstract: A resonator according to the embodiment includes: a substrate; a flat layered body which is formed above the substrate and is formed with at least a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film and an upper electrode; an anchor portion which fixes the layered body above the substrate; a cut-out portion inside the layered body; a tuning fork vibrator which is formed in the cut-out portion, has both ends supported by the layered body and is formed with at least a lower electrode, a piezoelectric film and an upper electrode; and an envelope which envelopes the layered body and the tuning fork vibrator in a noncontact fashion, and prevents an external force from being applied to the layered body and the tuning fork vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Kawakubo, Toshihiko Nagano, Michihiko Nishigaki, Hiroshi Ono
  • Publication number: 20130057354
    Abstract: A driver circuit includes a comparator (drive signal generation section) that generates a drive signal based on a signal obtained by converting an oscillation current of a vibrator that has been input via a first signal line into a voltage using an I/V conversion circuit (current/voltage conversion section), and supplies the drive signal to the vibrator via a second signal line, an oscillation detection circuit (oscillation detection section) that detects whether or not the oscillation current has reached a predetermined value after the vibrator has started to oscillate, a startup oscillation circuit (startup oscillation section) that assists an oscillation operation of the vibrator until the oscillation current reaches the predetermined value, and a switch that separates a capacitor from the second signal line until the oscillation current reaches the predetermined value, and connects the capacitor to the second signal line when the oscillation current has reached the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicants: SEIKO NPC CORPORATION, SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinao YANAGISAWA, Masahiro OSHIO, Takayuki KIKUCHI, Toshihiro NISHIDA, Masayuki TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 8390389
    Abstract: A vibrator element includes: a base section formed on a plane including a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a vibrating arm extending from the base section in the first direction, wherein the vibrating arm flexurally vibrates in a normal direction of the plane, and has a first surface one of compressed and extended due to the flexural vibration and a second surface one of extended when the first surface is compressed and compressed when the first surface is extended, the first surface is provided with a first mass section, and the second surface is provided with a second mass section, and at least one of the first mass section and the second mass section has a portion, which fails to be opposed to the other of the first mass section and the second mass section in a plan view in the normal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Kawai
  • Patent number: 8378758
    Abstract: A parametric feedback oscillator includes a resonator which has at least one transduction element and at least one electromechanical resonating element. The resonator is configured to accept as input a parametric excitation signal at a frequency 2?0 and to provide a resonating output signal at a frequency ?0. A cascaded feedback path in any electrically coupled cascade order includes at least one non-linear element, at least one phase shifter electrically, and at least one amplifier. The cascade feedback path is configured to receive as input the resonating output signal at a frequency ?0 and configured to provide as output a feedback path signal as the parametric excitation signal at a frequency 2?0 to the resonator. A parametric feedback oscillator output terminal is configured to provide the resonating output signal at the frequency ?0 as an output signal. A method of causing a parametric feedback oscillation is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Luis Guillermo Villanueva Torrijo, Rassul Karabalin, Matthew Matheny, Philip X.-L. Feng, Michael C. Cross, Michael L. Roukes
  • Publication number: 20130033334
    Abstract: A MEMS resonator 200 includes: a beam oscillator 101 that oscillates mechanically when an electrostatic force is applied; a supporter that oscillatably supports the oscillator 101; and at least one electrode 102 that includes an opposing face to the oscillator 101 across a gap 103, wherein an electric current generated by the oscillation of the oscillator 101 is output through an output terminal connected with the oscillator 101 or electrode 102, the oscillator 101 oscillates in a torsional resonance mode with a center being a longitudinal axis of the oscillator 101, an opposing faces of the oscillator 101 and the electrode 102 are made of semiconductors of which conductive types are different from each other, and a surface part 111 of the oscillator 101 including the opposing face is doped with an impurity at a higher density than other part of the oscillator 101.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Yasuyuki NAITO
  • Patent number: 8368476
    Abstract: A resonator element includes: a base portion, a first resonating arm that is extended from the base portion along a first direction, and a second resonating arm that is extended from the base portion along a first direction opposite to the first resonating arm, wherein the first resonating arm and the second resonating arm are arranged such that a base end portion of one side resonating arm and a middle portion of the other side resonating arm are arranged in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Mikami
  • Patent number: 8368473
    Abstract: There is provided with a resonator which can correct the resonance frequency of a vibrator in a wide range and with a high accuracy and also provided with an oscillator using the resonator. In the resonator configured by the vibrator 101, electrodes 4, 5 disposed so as to oppose to parts of the surface of the vibrator 101 via gaps, and variable voltage sources 24, 25 for applying a voltage to both or one of the vibrator 101 and the electrodes 4, 5, each of the electrodes 4, 5 is configured by plural electrodes. The electrodes 4, 5 are respectively disposed via gaps close to the portions of the vibrator 101 having different vibration amplitudes. The DC voltages being applied are independently adjusted with respect to the electrodes 4, 5 which differ in distances from the shaft of the vibrator among the plural electrodes close to the vibrator 101.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kunihiko Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130027145
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided in which alignment of a lid substrate 2 and a base substrate 3 is facilitated to reduce the rate of occurrence of defects. The electronic device according to the invention includes a lid substrate, a base substrate bonded to the lid substrate and forming a cavity hermetically sealed from the outside air between the base substrate and the lid substrate, an electronic element housed in the cavity, and a mold member placed on an outer face of the lid substrate or the base substrate. Thus, warping of the lid substrate or the base substrate is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20130027146
    Abstract: A MEMS vibrator includes: a substrate; a first electrode disposed above the substrate; and a second electrode disposed in a state where at least one portion of the second electrode has a space between the first electrode and the second electrode, and having a beam portion capable of vibrating, in the thickness direction of the substrate, with electrostatic force and a supporting portion supporting one edge of the beam portion and disposed above the substrate, wherein a supporting side face of the supporting portion supporting the one edge has a bending portion which bends in plan view from the thickness direction of the substrate, and the one edge is supported by the supporting side face including the bending portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shogo INABA