Patent ID: 6101878
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: G01C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an angular rate sensor comprising:preparing an oscillator made of a piezoelectric element, said oscillator having at least one pair of arms and a connecting portion connecting ends of each at least one pair of arms, the at least one pair of arms being excited by an excitation signal having a first frequency in a first direction, and when the angular rate sensor undergoes an angular rate when the at least one pair of arms are excited, oscillating at a second frequency in a second direction different from the first direction to provide an output signal corresponding to the angular rate;installing said oscillator on a base using a supporting member made of a sintered metal and having a narrower portion;applying an AC voltage to said oscillator to oscillate the at least one pair of arms in the first direction;monitoring an output signal from the oscillator to determine a frequency difference between the first and second frequencies; and modifying a torsional rigidity of the narrower portion of said supporting member so that said determined frequency difference lies within a preselected range.