Patent ID: 7866210
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: B81B,C07C,G01C,G01P,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor mechanical quantity sensor comprising: a silicon substrate having an insulation layer on a first surface; a silicon layer formed on the silicon substrate; a weight disposed on the silicon layer and movable in a predetermined direction parallel with the first surface of the silicon substrate due to an effect of a mechanical quantity, said weight being provided with a plurality of movable electrodes which are in parallel with each other, each of said plurality of movable electrodes being provided with a surface perpendicular to the first surface of the silicon substrate; a plurality of fixed electrodes secured to the insulation layer and being opposed to the surfaces of the plurality of movable electrodes to form capacitors with the plurality of movable electrodes; and a peripheral portion surrounding the plurality of movable electrodes and the plurality of fixed electrodes, wherein major surfaces of the plurality of movable electrodes, the plurality of fixed electrodes, and the peripheral portion being formed to be substantially on the same plane with each other, the plurality of movable electrodes, the plurality of fixed electrodes, and the peripheral portion being insulated and separated from one another to detect the mechanical quantity based on a change of the capacitance of the capacitors, all electrode contacting portions being formed on a major surface of the silicon layer.