Composite sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration

Abstract

A high-reliability complex sensor protected against vibration and electromagnetic wave noise from outside. Shield case (38) is provided with power conjunction terminal (39), GND conjunction terminal (40), angular velocity conjunction terminal (41), X axis acceleration conjunction terminal (42) and Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal (43). Both power supply terminal (27) of angular velocity detection means (21) and power supply terminal (32) of acceleration detection means (31) are electrically connected with power connector terminal (47) of protection case (45), via power conjunction terminal (39) of shield case (38). Both GND terminal (29) of angular velocity detection means (21) and GND terminal (29) of acceleration detection means (31) are electrically connected with GND connector terminal (51) of protection case (45), via GND conjunction terminal (40) of shield case (38). Circuit board (35) is contained completely within shield case (38).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a complex sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No.H10-239064 discloses a conventional complex sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration (hereinafter referred to as complex sensor).

[0003] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the above-described complex sensor. It includes supporting substrate 13 having angular velocity detection means 11 and acceleration detection means 12 fixed on the upper surface, and circuit board 14 having thereon a signal processing circuit (not shown) for processing signals detected with respect to angular velocity and acceleration. Metal shield case 15 houses angular velocity detection means 11, acceleration detection means 12 and supporting member 13. Resin protection case 16 houses circuit board 14 and shield case 15, and provided with connector portion 17 protruding outward. Connector portion 17 of protection case 16 has four connector terminals 18 disposed within the inside.

[0004] Respective connector terminals 18 are electrically connected with angular velocity detection means 11 and acceleration detection means 12 via lead wires (not shown) and circuit board 14. Opening of protection case 16 is closed with resin lid 19. The operation of above-configured complex sensor is described below. When angular velocity and acceleration are given at the same time on a complex sensor, angular velocity detection means 11 outputs angular velocity signal, while acceleration detection means 12 outputs acceleration signal.

[0005] A signal processing circuit (not shown) disposed on circuit board 14 processes the angular velocity signal and the acceleration signal, and delivers processed signal to a computer, via lead wires (not shown) and connector terminals 18, for detection of angular velocity and acceleration.

[0006] Needs for such a complex sensor containing angular velocity detection means and acceleration detection means in a single casing are increasing rapidly in the industry, especially in the automobile sector where the compactness and lightness in weight are earnestly pursued.

[0007] These sensors are also required to have a higher accuracy and reliability, and a lower cost.

[0008] The conventional complex sensors have been improved to an almost satisfactory level with respect to the compactness and lightness in weight, protection against external noise and in cost aspect.

[0009] However, such tasks as the higher level protection against vibration as well as electromagnetic wave noise from outside, the further cost reduction through reduction in the assembly work steps and number of parts counts, etc. are still left to be solved. In order to improve these outstanding tasks to a satisfactory level, basic layout of the constituent components, arrangement of electrical connections, mechanical strength and other basic factors of a sensor need to be thoroughly reviewed.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0010] The present invention offers a complex sensor which comprises angular velocity detection means for detecting angular velocity, which detection means having power supply terminal, GND terminal and angular velocity output terminal; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration, which detection means having power supply terminal, GND terminal and acceleration output terminal; and a circuit board having thereon a processing circuit for processing angular velocity signal delivered from the angular velocity output terminal of angular velocity detection means and acceleration signal delivered from the acceleration output terminal of acceleration detection means. The angular velocity detection means and the acceleration detection means are mounted on the circuit board.

[0011] The present invention further offers a complex sensor which comprises a metal shield case for housing the circuit board and provided with power conjunction terminal, GND conjunction terminal, angular velocity conjunction terminal one of the ends of which is electrically connected with angular velocity output terminal of the angular velocity detection means, and acceleration conjunction terminal one of the ends of which is electrically connected with acceleration output terminal of the acceleration detection means; and a protection case for housing the shield case and provided with power connector terminal, GND connector terminal, angular velocity connector terminal which is electrically connected with the other end of angular velocity conjunction terminal of the shield case, and acceleration connector terminal which is electrically connected with the other end of acceleration conjunction terminal of the shield case. Both the power supply terminal of angular velocity detection means and the power supply terminal of acceleration detection means are electrically connected with power connector terminal of the protection case via power conjunction terminal of the shield case, while both the GND terminal of angular velocity detection means and the GND terminal of acceleration detection means are electrically connected with GND connector terminal of the protection case via GND conjunction terminal of the shield case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a complex sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of a complex sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the angular velocity detection means of complex sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the case and lid removed.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective of a complex sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from underneath.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a power connector terminal, disposed in the protection case of a complex sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a conventional complex sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] A complex sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present is described below, referring to the drawings. The drawings are intended to provide the concept of invention; it is to be noted that they do not represent precise dimensional relationship.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, angular velocity detection means 21 includes vibration body 22, which is a tuning fork, as shown in FIG. 3, formed of thin sheets of single-crystalline quartz affixed together, each sheet having different crystalline axis; case 23 for housing vibration body 22; and lid 24 for closing the opening of case 23. Vibration body 22 of angular velocity detection means 21 is provided at the front and reverse surfaces with drive electrode 25, at the outer and inner side surfaces with detection electrode 26. Case 23 of angular velocity detection means 21 houses vibration body 22, and provided with an opening (not shown) at the upper end. Lid 24 of angular velocity detection means 21 is provided with power supply terminal 27, angular velocity output terminal 28 and GND terminal 29, each terminal is penetrating through from the upper surface to the lower surface of the lid, power supply terminal 27 and GND terminal 29 are electrically connected at their one end with drive electrode 25 of vibration body 22. One end of angular velocity output terminal 28 of lid 24 is electrically connected with detection electrode of vibration body 22. Acceleration detection means 31 in FIG. 1 is a static capacitance type acceleration sensor, which sensor having a movable electrode plate (not shown) and a fixed electrode plate (not shown) in the inside. Power supply terminal 32, X axis acceleration output terminal 33a, Y axis acceleration output terminal 33b and GND terminal 34, electrically connected respectively at their one end with the movable electrode plate (not shown) and fixed electrode plate (not shown), are protruding towards outside.

[0020] Circuit board 35 has angular velocity detection means 21 mounted and fixed on the lower surface, and provided with a number of terminal insertion holes 36 penetrating through from the top to the bottom. Power supply terminal 27, angular velocity output terminal 28 and GND terminal 29 of angular velocity detection means 21 are inserted respectively through one of terminal insertion holes 36.

[0021] Circuit board 35 is mounted and fixed with acceleration detection means 31 at the bottom surface; while on the upper surface, processing circuit 37 containing an AGC circuit (not shown) formed of electronic components is provided.

[0022] Processing circuit 37 is electrically connected with power supply terminal 27, angular velocity output terminal 28 and GND terminal 29 of angular velocity detection means 21, as well as with power supply terminal 32, X axis acceleration output terminal 33a, Y axis acceleration output terminal 33b and GND terminal 34 of acceleration detection means 31. Metal shield case 38 has been formed of storage portion 38a and lid 38c for closing storage portion 38a at opening 38b. Shield case 38 houses circuit board 35, angular velocity detection means 21 and acceleration detection means 31, and provided with power conjunction terminal 39, GND conjunction terminal 40, angular velocity conjunction terminal 41, X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42 and Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43, each of the conjunction terminals is penetrating from the inside to be protruding outside. One of the ends of power conjunction terminal 39 of shield case 38 is electrically connected with power supply terminal 27 of angular velocity detection means 21 and power supply terminal 32 of acceleration detection means 31. One of the ends of GND conjunction terminal 40 is electrically connected with GND terminal 29 of angular velocity detection means 21 and GND terminal 34 of acceleration detection means 31.

[0023] One of the ends of angular velocity conjunction terminal 41 is electrically connected with angular velocity output terminal 28 of angular velocity detection means 21. One of the ends of X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42 is electrically connected with X axis acceleration output terminal 33a of acceleration detection means 31. One of the ends of Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43 is electrically connected with Y axis acceleration output terminal 33b of acceleration detection means 31. Lid 38c of shield case 38 is provided with elastic convex 44, which has been formed by giving a cut in vertical portion 38d. By taking advantage of elastic convex 44, lid 38c can be attached fast at opening 38b of shield case 38 with an elastic contact around the outer circumference, and storage portion 38a and lid 38c are brought to the same electrical potential.

[0024] Since shield case 38 is formed of bottomed-cylindrical storage portion 38a and lid 38c for closing storage portion 38a at opening 38b, and lid 38c is provided with elastic convex 44 towards storage portion 38a, lid 38c can be attached fast to opening 38b of storage portion 38a without needing a separate member to be prepared for the specific purpose. This contributes to reduce the number of component counts in a complex sensor. Resin-made protection case 45 of bottomed-cylindrical shape houses shield case 38, and provided with connector portion 46 protruding outward from the side. Provided in the inside of connector portion 46 are; one of the two ends of power connector terminal 47, angular velocity connector terminal 48, X axis acceleration connector terminal 49, Y axis acceleration connector terminal 50 and GND connector terminal 51, with their other ends being buried in protection case 45.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, protection case 45 is provided with through holes 52 penetrating from the bottom surface to the outer bottom surface. Meanwhile, power connector terminal 47, angular velocity connector terminal 48, X axis acceleration connector terminal 49 and Y axis acceleration connector terminal 50 are provided at their other ends with hole 54, as illustrated in FIG. 5, penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface. Hole 54 is disposed to coincide with through hole 52 of protection case 45. The other end of X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42 is inserted into hole 54 of X axis acceleration connector terminal 49 disposed in protection case 45, and these are connected together by means of solder 55 for electrical connection, as shown in FIG. 2. The other end of Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43 is inserted into hole 54 of Y axis acceleration connector terminal 50, and these are connected together by means of solder 55 for electrical connection. The other end of power conjunction terminal 39 is inserted into hole 54 of power connector terminal 47, and these are connected together by means of solder 55 for electrical connection. The other end of GND conjunction terminal 40 is inserted into hole 54 of GND connector terminal 51, and these are connected together by means of solder 55 for electrical connection. Resin-made protection lid 56 closes the open end of protection case 45. Whenever necessary from the view point of manufacturing, each of the connector terminals may of course be provided with additional holes, besides hole 54.

[0026] Now, description is made in the following on a method of manufacturing the above-configured complex sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the first place, gold is vapor-deposited on quartz vibration body 22 provided in advance to a tuning fork shape at the front surface and the reverse surface, for forming drive electrode 25.

[0027] Vibration body 22 is further provided with gold deposition at the outer side surface and inner side surface, for forming detection electrode 26. And then, power supply terminal 27, angular velocity output terminal 28 and GND terminal 29 are inserted into lid 24 from the upper surface towards the lower surface so that each of the terminals is protruding to both upward and downward directions.

[0028] After vibration body 22 is housed in case 23, the opening of case 22 is closed with lid 24, to complete angular velocity detection means 21. Acceleration detection means 31, which was provided in advance, is attached and fixed on the lower surface of circuit board 35 so that power supply terminal 32, X axis acceleration output terminal 33a, Y axis acceleration output terminal 33b and GND terminal 34 of acceleration detection means 31 make electrical contact with circuit board 35.

[0029] Power supply terminal 27, angular velocity output terminal 28 and GND terminal 29 of angular velocity detection means 21 are inserted into terminal insertion hole 36 of circuit board 35 from underneath, and soldered.

[0030] On the upper surface of circuit board 35, processing circuit 37 formed of electronic components is mounted and fixed. At the storage portion 38a of shield case 38, power conjunction terminal 39, GND conjunction terminal 40, angular velocity conjunction terminal 41, X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42 and Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43 are inserted from the inner bottom surface towards the outer bottom surface so that each of the terminals is protruding to both upward and downward directions. Next, circuit board 35 is put into shield case 38 so that one end of the two ends of respective power conjunction terminal 39, GND conjunction terminal 40, angular velocity conjunction terminal 41, X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42 and Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43 penetrates terminal insertion hole 38.

[0031] Lid 38c made of a thin sheet is provided with cuts along the edge part and the relevant portion is arched to form elastic convex 44. And then, lid 38c is bent at the four circumference sides to form vertical portion 38d. Opening 38b of shield case 38 is covered with lid 38c; lid 38c sticks fast to the opening with elasticity caused by elastic convex 44 formed in the vertical portion of lid 38c. Therefore, no additional component is needed dedicated for attaching lid 38c onto the opening.

[0032] Next, power connector terminal 47, angular velocity connector terminal 48, X axis acceleration connector terminal 49, Y axis acceleration connector terminal 50 and GND connector terminal 51, each of which has been provided at the other end with hole 54 penetrating from the upper surface through the lower surface as shown in FIG. 5, and a supporting pin (not shown) are disposed at their places. Molten resin is supplied to molds (not shown). Power connector terminal 47, angular velocity connector terminal 48, X axis acceleration connector terminal 49, Y axis acceleration connector terminal 50 and GND connector terminal 51 are thus buried in protection case 45, and through hole 52 is provided in the region above and underneath of hole 54. Shield case 38 is put into protection case 45 so that the other ends of respective power conjunction terminal 39, GND conjunction terminal 40, angular velocity conjunction terminal 41, X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42 and Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43 coming out of shield case 38 are inserted into corresponding through hole 52 of protection case 45 from the above.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, power conjunction terminal 39 is soldered to power connector terminal 47 from the bottom of protection case 45, angular velocity conjunction terminal 41 to angular velocity connector terminal 48, X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42 to X axis acceleration connector terminal 49, Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43 to Y axis acceleration connector terminal 50, GND conjunction terminal 40 to GND connector terminal 51, respectively. Finally, the opening of protection case 45 is closed with protection lid 56.

[0034] Now, the operation of a complex sensor configured and assembled as described above in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in the following.

[0035] An input voltage delivered from an external DC power source (not shown) is converted by processing circuit 37 into AC voltage, which voltage is applied on drive electrode 25 of vibration body 22 in angular velocity detection means 21, via power supply terminal 27. Drive electrode 25 is grounded via GND connector terminal 51, GND conjunction terminal 40 and GND terminal. Then, vibration body 22 is bent and vibrates. In this state, when angular velocity detection means 21 is revolved around the central axis in the length direction of vibration body 22 at an angular velocity ù, a Coriolis force F=2 mvù is generated with vibration body 22.

[0036] Output signal caused by electric charges generated at detection electrode 26 due to the Coriolis force is sent via angular velocity output terminal 28 to processing circuit 37 on circuit board 35 to be converted into an output voltage. The voltage is delivered via angular velocity conjunction terminal 41 and angular velocity connector terminal 48 to a computer (not shown), and an angular velocity is detected by the computer.

[0037] Likewise, under a state where a 5V voltage is applied on movable electrode plate (not shown) and fixed electrode plate (not shown) of acceleration detection means 31 via power connector terminal 47, power conjunction terminal 39 and power supply terminal 27, when an acceleration is exerted in the X axis and Y axis direction, or the direction horizontal to the plane of acceleration detection means 31, the movable electrode plate (not shown) is dislocated to cause a change in the capacitance of a capacitor formed between the movable electrode plate (not shown) and the fixed electrode plate (not shown).

[0038] The shift in the capacitance is converted within acceleration detection means 31 into an output voltage, and the acceleration in X axis direction is delivered via X axis acceleration output terminal 33a, X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42 and X axis acceleration connector terminal 49 to a computer (not shown). The computer detects the acceleration in X axis direction.

[0039] Likewise, the acceleration in Y axis direction is delivered via Y axis acceleration output terminal 33b, Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43 and Y axis acceleration connector terminal 50 to the computer (not shown). The computer detects the acceleration in Y axis direction. The computer (not shown) analyzes the angular velocity, the acceleration in X axis direction and the acceleration in Y axis direction exerted to a vehicle, and identifies the behavior of the vehicle. Now, description is made on a situation where a complex sensor is put into operation in an environment of quite a number of electromagnetic waves. In a complex sensor in accordance with exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shield case 38 is provided with power conjunction terminal 39, GND conjunction terminal 40, angular velocity conjunction terminal 41, X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42 and Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43, and both power supply terminal 27 of angular velocity detection means 21 and power supply terminal 32 of acceleration detection means 31 are electrically connected with power connector terminal 47 of protection case 45 via power conjunction terminal 39 of shield case 38. Both GND terminal 29 of angular velocity detection means 21 and GND terminal 29 of acceleration detection means 31 are electrically connected with GND connector terminal 51 of protection case 45 via GND conjunction terminal 40 of shield case 38. In this way, circuit board 35 is contained completely within shield case 38. As the result, a circuit pattern (not shown) of circuit board 35 is not affected by electromagnetic wave from outside, and stable output signals are available out of a circuit pattern (not shown) of circuit board 35. The advantage comes from the structure that the complex sensor is fixed direct on a circuit board, and the circuit board has been completely shielded electromagnetically. In the conventional structures, a complex sensor was coupled with a circuit board via a supporting substrate, in order to secure a sufficient mechanical strength. Therefore, the effect of shielding was not always quite satisfactory, because of the above basic structure.

[0040] Next, description is made on a complex sensor operating in an environment of strong vibration.

[0041] In a complex sensor in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, power connector terminal 47, GND connector terminal 51, angular velocity connector terminal 48, X axis acceleration connector terminal 49 and Y axis acceleration connector terminal 50 of protection case 45 are provided respectively with hole 54; and power conjunction terminal 39, GND conjunction terminal 40, angular velocity conjunction terminal 41, X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42 and Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43 of shield case 38 are inserted respectively into hole 54 for electrical connection. Thus a tough connection has been established between power connector terminal 47 and power conjunction terminal 39, GND connector terminal 51 and GND conjunction terminal 40, angular velocity connector terminal 48 and angular velocity conjunction terminal 41, X axis acceleration connector 49 and X axis acceleration conjunction terminal 42, and Y axis acceleration connector terminal 50 and Y axis acceleration conjunction terminal 43. Therefore, the complex sensors are provided with a mechanical strength that is strong enough to withstand vibration. In this way, the present invention offers the complex sensors which have an improved reliability.

Industrial Applicability

[0042] Complex sensors in the present invention are protected against the vibration and the electromagnetic wave noise coming from outside. Thus, the complex sensors are provided with an improved reliability.

[0043] Furthermore, the complex sensors in the present invention can be implemented with a less number of constituent components, which contributes to a lower manufacturing cost.

Reference Numerals in the Drawings

[0044] 11 Angular velocity detection means

[0045] 12 Acceleration detection means

[0046] 13 Supporting substrate

[0047] 14 Circuit board

[0048] 15 Shield case

[0049] 16 Protection case

[0050] 17 Connector portion

[0051] 18 Connector terminals

[0052] 19 Lid

[0053] 21 Angular velocity detection means

[0054] 22 Vibration body

[0055] 23 Case

[0056] 24 Lid

[0057] 25 Drive electrode

[0058] 26 Detection electrode

[0059] 27 , 32 Power supply terminal

[0060] 28 Angular velocity output terminal

[0061] 29 , 34 GND terminal

[0062] 31 Acceleration detection means

[0063] 33 a , 33b Acceleration output terminal

[0064] 35 Circuit board

[0065] 36 Terminal insertion hole

[0066] 37 Processing circuit

[0067] 38 Shield case

[0068] 38 a Storage portion

[0069] 38 b Opening

[0070] 38 c Lid

[0071] 38 d Vertical portion

[0072] 39 Power conjunction terminal

[0073] 40 GND conjunction terminal

[0074] 41 Angular velocity conjunction terminal

[0075] 42 , 43 Acceleration conjunction terminal

[0076] 44 Elastic convex

[0077] 45 Protection case

[0078] 46 Connector portion

[0079] 47 Power connector terminal

[0080] 48 Angular velocity connector terminal

[0081] 49 , 50 Acceleration connector terminal

[0082] 51 GND connector terminal

[0083] 52 Through hole

[0084] 54 Hole

[0085] 55 Solder

[0086] 56 Protection lid

Claims

1. A complex sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration comprising angular velocity detection means for detecting angular velocity, which means including power supply terminal, GND terminal and angular velocity output terminal; acceleration detection means for detecting acceleration, which means including power supply terminal, GND terminal and acceleration output terminal; and a circuit board mounted with a processing circuit for processing angular velocity signal delivered from the angular velocity output terminal of angular velocity detection means and acceleration signal delivered from the acceleration output terminal of acceleration detection means; wherein the angular velocity detection means and the acceleration detection means are disposed on the circuit board.

2. The complex sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration recited in claim 1, further comprising a metal shield case which houses the circuit board, and provided with power conjunction terminal, GND conjunction terminal, angular velocity conjunction terminal one of the ends of which being electrically connected with the angular velocity output terminal of angular velocity detection means, and acceleration conjunction terminal one of the ends of which being electrically connected with the acceleration output terminal of acceleration detection means; and a protection case which houses the shield case, and provided with power connector terminal, GND connector terminal, angular velocity connector terminal electrically connected with the other end of the angular velocity conjunction terminal of shield case, and acceleration connector terminal electrically connected with the other end of the acceleration conjunction terminal of shield case; wherein both the power supply terminal of angular velocity detection means and the power supply terminal of acceleration detection means are electrically connected with the power connector terminal of protection case via power conjunction terminal of shield case, and both the GND terminal of angular velocity detection means and the GND terminal of acceleration detection means are electrically connected with the GND connector terminal of protection case via the GND conjunction terminal of shield case.

3. The complex sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration recited in claim 2, wherein power connector terminal, GND connector terminal, angular velocity connector terminal and acceleration connector terminal of the protection case are provided respectively with a hole; and power conjunction terminal, GND conjunction terminal, angular velocity conjunction terminal and acceleration conjunction terminal of the shield case are inserted respectively into the hole for electrical connection.

4. The complex sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration recited in claim 2, wherein the shield case is formed of a storage portion having a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a lid for closing the storage portion at the opening; the lid having an elastic convex at the storage portion side for attaching the lid fast to the opening of storage portion with an elastic contact, and bringing the storage portion and the lid to the same electrical potential.

5. The complex sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration recited in claim 4, wherein the elastic convex is formed by means of a cut provided in vertical part of the lid.

6. The complex sensor for detecting angular velocity and acceleration recited in claim 3, wherein the shield case is formed of a storage portion having a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a lid for closing the storage portion at the opening; the lid having an elastic convex at the storage portion side for attaching the lid fast to the opening of storage portion with an elastic contact, and bringing the storage portion and the lid to the same electrical potential.